Evaluation of sepramesh biosurgical composite in a rabbit hernia repair model.
BACKGROUND
In cases such as incisional hernia repair, polypropylene mesh (PPM) can be exposed to the underlying viscera and cause adhesions to the mesh. In this study, a composite prosthesis that was designed to be less susceptible to adhesion formation than PPM was evaluated in a rabbit incisional hernia repair model.


METHODS
A 5 x 7-cm full-thickness defect was created in the abdominal wall of 30 female New Zealand White rabbits. Ten animals each were repaired with PPM, Bard Composix (PP/ePTFE), or Sepramesh biosurgical composite-a polypropylene mesh coated on one side with chemically modified sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose (HA/CMC). The animals were sacrificed after 28 days and the overall performance, including adhesion formation and tissue integration by histology and mechanical testing, was evaluated.


RESULTS
In the Sepramesh group, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of surface area covered by adhesions and a significant increase in the percentage of animals with no adhesions compared to standard materials. The tissue integration strength and overall cellular response were similar in all groups. A partially remesothelialized peritoneal surface was often apparent overlying the Sepramesh implant.


CONCLUSIONS
Sepramesh biosurgical composite effectively repaired abdominal wall defects in rabbits and reduced adhesion development to the mesh compared to the use of a PPM and a PP/ePTFE composite.
Greenawalt
K E
KE
Biomaterials and Surgical Products Research, Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
Butler
T J
TJ
Rowe
E A
EA
Finneral
A C
AC
Garlick
D S
DS
Burns
J W
JW
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011817:Rabbits; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011126:Polypropylenes; C418228:sepramesh; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium