The mechanical properties of human dura mater and the effects of storage media.

Data are presented on the tensile strength and ultimate extensibility of human dura mater. Experiments were performed, prior to, and after, storage in glycerol. The results indicate that storage in glycerol has a small effect on the measured mechanical properties, but this was not statistically significant. In addition, storage in saline after glycerol preservation for up to thirty days was found to have no effect on the mechanical properties of dura mater, as long as the tissue had previously been sterilised and sterility was maintained. However, the considerable variability found in the mechanical properties of human dura prevented this being established beyond doubt. The implications of this variability for tissue selection is discussed.