[Value of the Cialit skin homograft in visceral surgery]

Abstract

The conservation of skin in Cialit was suggested by SANCHIS-OLMOS in 1954. The process was introduced into Switzerland at the Balgrist Hospital in 1957; it has found many applications in traumatological and orthopaedic surgery. In visceral surgery, on the other hand, the possibilities of this material are often unknow, trough in fact it offers many advantages: great mechanical strength, good tolerance even in an infected environment, perfect sterility, simplicity of manipulation and insignificant cost. We give an account of our ten years' experience, bearing on the following indications: treatment of eventration, plastic surgery of the diaphragm, of the chest wall and of the pericardium, rectopexy and treatment of relapsed hernia.