Shrinking of polypropylene mesh in vivo: an experimental study in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the extent of shrinkage of meshes used for hernia repair.


METHODS
Experimental study in dogs.


METHODS
University hospital, Germany and University Research Centre, Moscow.


METHODS
10 dogs had monofilament polypropylene meshes that weighed 95 g/m2 (Marlex) or multifilament reduced polypropylene meshes combined with polyglactin 910 that weighed 55 g/m2 (Soft Hernia Mesh) implanted for either 3 or 6 months.


METHODS
Histological appearance and radiological assessment of the position and area of the mesh.


RESULTS
After 4 weeks the area of mesh in the monofilament group was reduced from to 139 (11) to 75 (8) cm2 (54%) and that of the multifilament from 116 (18) to 77 (20) cm2 (66%). The multifilament mesh with the reduced amount of polypropylene showed less inflammatory response and less shrinkage. The mesh did not seem to have moved.


CONCLUSIONS
Meshes that contain a lot of polypropylene shrink to about 30%-50% of their original size after 4 weeks, requiring an overlap of at least 3 cm if implanted subfascially. Reduction in the polypropylene content decreases both the inflammatory response and the shrinkage. Meshes with big pores are less likely to fold and improve compatibility.
Department of Surgery of the RWTH Aachen, Germany.
U
U
Klinge
B
B
Klosterhalfen
M
M
Müller
A P
AP
Ottinger
V
V
Schumpelick
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D011098:Polyglactin 910; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013526:Surgical Mesh
D011126:Polypropylenes; D011098:Polyglactin 910