Progress in research and application of dural substitutes for dural repair

Dural defect is a clinically common problem. Numerous autogenic, allogenic, xenogenic, and synthetic materials have been used to repair the dura mater in neurosurgical operations every day. There are some advantages and disadvantages for each kind of dural substitute, although they play an important role in dural repair. In this article, we review the progress in research and application of dural substitutes for dural repair, with an aim to guide the choice of ideal dural substitutes in clinical applications. Key words: Dural Defect; Reconstruction; Materials; Metabolism; Neurosurgery; Tissue Engineering