[Experimental study of a polypropylene mesh for moulding and supporting a breast during a breast reduction procedure].
OBJECTIVE
To study the polypropylene mesh acted for the moulding and support.


METHODS
Four mini-pigs were used in this experimental research. A polypropylene mesh was implanted under the skin on one side of each pig. An expander was thereafter placed in the deep layer to imitate the action of gravity to the skin and mesh. The specimens were collected in two different times for the biomechanics and histology examinations.


RESULTS
The biomechanical data were shown lower and the histological properties were found changeable in the expanded skin without the mesh support, compared with the normal skin. However, the changes did not occur in the expanded skin with the mesh support. Furthermore, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the polypropylene mesh were significant less than the human skin.


CONCLUSIONS
The Polypropylene mesh could prevent the extended skin effectively and has moulding and support effects.
Tan
Wei-Qiang
WQ
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Center, Chinese Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100032, China.
Qiao
Qun
Q
Zhao
Ru
R
Sun
Jio-Ming
JM
Liu
Cheng
C
Liu
Zhi-Fei
ZF
Yin
Heng
H
Qi
Ke-Ming
KM
D000818:Animals; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D023421:Models, Animal; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011126:Polypropylenes