Biological membrane implants in veterinary reconstructive surgery: Basic aspects and conservation methods

Abstract

Biological membranes are used as implants in veterinary reconstructive surgery in order to restore the function and structure of damaged tissues. Various tissues from animals, kept by different techniques and implanted in recipients of the same or different species, help repair wounds where extensive tissue loss or the inability to scarring is evidenced. Although the benefits of biological membranes outweigh their disadvantages, their use in clinical and surgical routines is rare, largely due to ignorance of their characteristics, handling and implantation. The present article aims to review general aspects on biological membranes, from procurement to possible complications of their use, through experimental studies and previously reported cases, and to encourage their use as a biomaterial implant in case of anatomical defects, traumatic wounds, oncological postoperative care, and traumas in general.