The new 4DDome prosthesis: an original light and partially absorbable composite mesh for hernia repair

Characteristics of the fibroplasia and collagen expression in the abdominal wall after implant of the polypropylene mesh and polypropylene/polyglecaprone mesh in rats

PURPOSE

To compare fibroplasia and the resistance of the abdominal wall when polypropylene meshes and polypropylene/poliglecaprone are used.

METHODS

Seventy-seven male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control Group (for resistance); Group E (polypropylene mesh); and Group U (polypropylene/poliglecaprone mesh). The animals in Groups E and U had a standard muscular and aponeurotic defect, with integral peritoneum, and correction with the mesh. Measurements were taken 4, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days after surgery. The resistance, and collagen density were studied.

RESULTS

Resistance on the 56th day was similar in both meshes. The gain in resistance described an ascending curve for the polypropylene mesh and was irregular in the case of the polypropylene/poliglecaprone. Fibroplasia showed a gain in type I and type III collagen in both groups (p<0.001). Collagen III stabilized in the 14th day and collagen I continued to ascend.

CONCLUSIONS

The gain in resistance of the polypropylene mesh is regular and ascending, whereas the polypropylene/poliglecaprone is not regular. The final resistance of both meshes is similar; the collagen density increases over time, and show the same inflammatory potential.

Effect of alpha lipoic acid co-administration on structural and immunohistochemical changes in subcutaneous tissue of anterior abdominal wall of adult male albino rat in response to polypropylene mesh implantation

Polypropylene mesh is commonly used in the treatment of abdominal hernia. Different approaches were addressed to improve their tissue integration and consequently reduce long-term complications. This study aimed to investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) co-administration on structural and immunohistochemical (IHC) changes in the subcutaneous tissues of the anterior abdominal wall of the adult rat in response to polypropylene mesh implantation. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into: group I (control), group II (receiving ALA), group III (polypropylene mesh implantation) and group IV (mesh implantation + ALA co-administration). After 4 weeks, subcutaneous tissue samples were prepared for light microscopy and IHC study of CD34 as a marker for angiogenesis. In groups I and II rats, positive CD34 expression was demonstrated by IHC reaction, localized to endothelial cells lining small blood vessels. Group III showed an excess inflammatory reaction, deposition of both regular and irregularly arranged collagen fibres around mesh pores and few elastic fibres. CD34-positive was detected not only in cells lining small blood vessels but also in other cells scattered in the connective tissue indicating angiogenesis. In group IV, ALA co-administration resulted in less inflammatory reaction, regular collagen deposition, enhanced elastic fibres synthesis and a significant increase in CD34-positive cells and small blood vessels reflecting improved angiogenesis. ALA co-administration with polypropylene mesh implantation controlled the inflammatory reaction, helped regular collagen deposition, enhanced elastic fibres synthesis and improved angiogenesis in the subcutaneous tissue of anterior abdominal wall of adult albino rats, suggesting a possible role of ALA in optimizing mesh integration in subcutaneous tissue.

Clinical Implantation with the novel D-13 prosthesis for inguinal hernioplasty: A retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Using a mesh to repair inguinal hernias is now a standard procedure that is widely accepted as superior to primary suture repair. Although a variety of meshes are available, individual meshes may have their own unattractive features. This retrospective study examines the efficacy of our originally designed D-13 prosthesis, which is used in patients with inguinal hernias.

METHODS

A total of 305 patients who underwent a herniorrhaphy between January 2009 and March 2011 were included in this study. The recurrent rate, chronic pain and feeling of a foreign body were examined at a 3-year follow-up. The D-13 prosthesis, made from clear polypropylene monofilament mesh, was originally designed by the first author of this study and constructed with the upper and lower pieces of polypropylene mesh having different shapes and sizes. Both pieces are linked together by a connector.

RESULTS

The mesh is well tolerated. At a 3-year follow-up, only two patients had a foreign body sensation at the operative site, and three patients had recurrent hernias.

CONCLUSION

The unique design of the D-13 prosthesis with two pieces of mesh provided encouraging long-term outcome for hernia recurrence, chronic pain and the feeling of a foreign body.

Fibroplasia after polypropylene mesh implantation for abdominal wall hernia repair in rats

PURPOSE

This study assessed the collagen deposition and correlated it with local inflammatory responses to evaluate the length of time required for fibroplasia when polypropylene meshes are used to repair incisional abdominal wall hernias in rats.

METHODS

Thirty-six male Wistar rats underwent longitudinal resection of a peritoneal and musculoaponeurotic tissue segment (3x2 cm) of the abdominal wall followed by defect reconstruction with polypropylene mesh bridging over aponeurosis. The animals were divided into 6 groups according to the time points for the analysis of fibroplasia: 1, 2, 3, 7, 21 and 30 days post-implantation. Animals were sacrificed at each time point, and the site where the polypropylene mesh was implanted was evaluated histologically to assess inflammatory response and percentage of collagen using computer-assisted videomorphometry.

RESULTS

Total collagen was found at the mesh site on the 3rd day post-implantation, and increased progressively on all subsequent days up to the 21st day, when it reached its highest percentage (p<0.001). Type III collagen increased progressively from the 3rd to the 21st days, when it reached its highest percentage (p<0.001); on the 30th day, it decreased significantly (p>0.001). Type I collagen was first found between the 7th and 21st days; it reached its highest percentage on the 21st day and then remained stable until the 30th day. The type I to type III collagen ratio increased significantly and progressively up to the 30th day (p<0.001). Neutrophils were found at the mesh site from the 1st to the 21st day post-implantation. Macrophages, giant cells and lymphocytes were seen on the 2nd day. Thirty days after mesh implantation, neutrophils disappeared, but the percentages of macrophages, giant cells and lymphocytes remained stable (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that total collagen was first seen on the 3rd day post-implantation, with a higher percentage of type I collagen at the last observational time point. The prolonged healing inflammatory response and the persistence of chronic inflammation surrounding to the mesh did not affect the length of time required for fibroplasia.