Mechanical properties and tissue reinforcement of polypropylene grafts used for pelvic floor repair—an experimental study
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Abstract
Purpose
Although grafts can be made from the same materials, the final weave of the product may play a role in the ultimate outcomes or complications. The aim of this experimental study is to evaluate and compare the mechanical properties of the meshes and their influence on biological characteristics as well.
Methods
Full-thickness abdominal wall defect with respect to the peritoneum was primary repaired in 144 male Wister rats using the overlay technique. Monofilament, multifilament and coated polypropylene grafts were used for the repairs. Graft shrinkage, thickness and tensile strength of the explants were analysed after 3 and 6 weeks.
Results
Monofilament grafts showed the highest shrinkage level of 11.97–18% during the investigated period. The thickness of monofilament explants increased gradually, with a maximum of 25.35% after 6 weeks. Multifilament and collagen explants did swell more rapidly in the third week, decreasing thereafter to 19.63–23.04% above the pre-implantation values after 6 weeks. The tensile strength showed a gradual increase over the course of the experiment in all groups.
Conclusion
After graft stabilisation, all samples had similar strength, regardless of the significant differences in the pre-implantation values of graft strength.
Keywords
Abdominal wall defect Graft shrinkage Graft thickness Tensile strengthNotes
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Institute for Biomedical Research of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, where the experimental study took place.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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