Comparison of biomaterials in the early postoperative period.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic hernia repair necessitates the use of biocompatible materials. A prospective, double-blind study was conducted to compare two different polypropylene meshes.


METHODS
The study included 40 men with primary inguinal hernia undergoing transabdominal preperitoneal polypropylene mesh repair. In 20 of these men, a monofile, heavy-weight, rigid mesh was implanted (group A), and in the remaining 20 men, a smooth, heavy-weight variant of polypropylene mesh was implanted (group B). Complications, pain development, inability to work, physical conditions, testicular volume, and blood circulation were documented.


RESULTS
Reconvalescence in group A was slower than in group B. In group A, the postoperative values of the visual scales for pain development were higher; inability to work was 7.3 days longer; urologic disorders were worse; activities of everyday life were more reduced; and SF-36 data showed a significant reduction of physical problems ( p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The polypropylene mesh variant seems to be more compatible with the human organism than conventional mesh. Not only the material, but also the structure seems to influence the comfort of the mesh.
Langenbach
M R
MR
Department of Surgery, University Witten-Herdecke, Helios Klinikum, Heusner-Strasse 40, D-42283 Wuppertal, Germany. MRLangenbach@aol.com
Schmidt
J
J
Zirngibl
H
H
D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013997:Time Factors
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes