Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the biomechanical properties of the principal prosthetic materials currently
used in genital prolapse surgery.
Study design
Based on an animal model of incisional abdominal hernia, 40 adult rabbits were implanted.
Four 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm parietal defects, were created in the abdominal fascia and muscles while respecting
the peritoneum. For each rabbit, the defect was repaired by four different large pore
size prostheses which varied according to the material used: two with monofilament
of heavy (75 g/m2) or low (38 g/m2) weight polypropylene (PP), and two with multifilament of heavy (115 g/m2) or low (59 g/m2) weight polyethylene-terephthalate (PET). Animals were sacrificed in groups of 10
after 14, 30, 90 and 180 days to evaluate contraction, solidity and elasticity of
the prostheses.
Results
PP and PET retracted, independently of their weight, in 81.25% and 20% respectively.
Intensity of contraction was not predictable but median value of retracted surface
was 14% with PP, none with PET. Contraction settled quickly after tissue integration
and did not subsequently occur. Heavyweight PET was considered the most solid material
(70 N cm−1), low-weight PP the most fragile (20 N cm−1). Heavy forms of PP or PET resisted better to the rupture than the light forms which
were sometimes insufficient to resist the extreme values of the human abdominal pressure
(16 N cm−1). PP was more flexible than PET, but PET was the only form which was able to support
extreme values of the abdominal pressure and remain in the elastic range. Duration
of implantation did not modify solidity or elasticity of the prostheses.
Conclusion
In our abdominal rabbit model, as regards mechanical properties, heavyweight PET seems
to be the optimal biomaterial.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 17, 2009
Accepted:
July 25,
2009
Received in revised form:
June 5,
2009
Received:
January 9,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
