Collagen deposition around polypropylene tapes implanted in the rectus fascia of female rats.
OBJECTIVE
Implantation of the mesh induces a foreign-body reaction followed by the development of connective tissue that may alter tape property. The aim of our study was to evaluate the deposition of collagen in the vicinity of monofilament tension-free vaginal tape (TVT; Ethicon Inc., Johnson & Johnson) and multifilament intravaginal slingplasty (IVS; Tyco Healthcare) polypropylene tapes implanted in female rats.


METHODS
The samples of the meshes (10 mg each) were implanted in the rectus fascia of 14 Wistar female rats and removed after 42 days. Collagen was extracted with 0.5 M acetic acid and subsequently with pepsin (1 mg/ml in 0.5 M acetic acid). Collagen concentration was measured using Sircol Collagen Assay (Biocolor Ltd.) and normalised for milligrams of tape weight. For histological examination, tape samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin or with silver for type III collagen.


RESULTS
The total amount of collagen extracted did not differ significantly between TVT and IVS samples. For both tapes, extraction with acetic acid yielded a higher amount of collagen (about 70%) than extraction with pepsin. On histological examination, less densely packed bundles of collagen fibres and a slightly more intense inflammatory reaction were observed with TVT compared with IVS mesh.


CONCLUSIONS
The total amount of collagen deposited around the polypropylene mesh implanted in female rats was similar for TVT and IVS meshes, but differences were noted in the arrangement of the collagen fibres and the intensity of the inflammatory reaction.
Bogusiewicz
Michał
M
Second Department of Gynecology, University School of Medicine, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, Poland. mbogusiewicz@yahoo.com
Wróbel
Andrzej
A
Jankiewicz
Katarzyna
K
Adamiak
Aneta
A
Skorupski
Paweł
P
Tomaszewski
Jacek
J
Rechberger
Tomasz
T
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000592:standards; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology*; D020007:Implants, Experimental / Q000592:standards; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000592:standards; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012007:Rectum / Q000187:drug effects; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000592:standards; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes; D003094:Collagen