Objective    To explore the feasibility and efficacy of pericardial repair and reconstruction with porcine biomaterial in dogs.     Methods    Six Chinese mongrel dogs were inflicted with a defect of pericardium in 8-cm-diamter circle through right extrapleural thoracotomy. Subsequently

neoplasty of pericardium was proceeded using our patent porcine biomaterial. The pericardial adherence

effusion

breakage

and thickening was evaluated by cardiac color doppler sonography at 6 postoperative time points

including 2 weeks

1

3 and 6 months

1 and 2 years after operation. Gross examination was performed at 1 year and 2 years after operation to observe pericardial surface and flexibility and to evaluate calcification and thickening of implanted biomaterial patches. Histological examination was also performed at the same time points to observe the construction of pericardial endomembrane and integrity of pericardium. The last 2 animals were used to anticipate the ability of long lasting implanted patches and the relationship between artificial pericardium and post-treatment outcomes.     Results    All animals survived through all the experiment. No breakage

effusion

adherence

calcification or thickening was detected by cardiac color doppler sonography during the followed check period. The plasma membrane of bioartificial pericardium was smooth without any adherence. The endomembrane of specimens immigrated from dog’s pericardium to bioartificial pericardium. The connection between two kinds of pericardium was smooth and integrity.     Conclusion    Our porcine pericardial biomaterial is a satisfactory prothesis in application of pericardial reconstruction

and it is turning to autologous tissue after implanting.