Histologic response of porcine collagen-coated and uncoated polypropylene grafts in a rabbit vagina model.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the host tissue response in the rabbit vagina differs for 2 synthetic graft materials that are used in pelvic reconstructive surgery.


METHODS
One strip of porcine collagen-coated or uncoated polypropylene mesh was implanted adjacent to a sham operative site into the posterior vagina of 10 New Zealand white rabbits and harvested 12 weeks later. Rabbits were assigned randomly to group 1 (coated; n = 5), group 2 (uncoated; n = 5), or group 3 (unoperated; n = 4). Full-thickness sagittal sections of posterior vaginal wall and rectum were scored for inflammation, neovascularization, and fibroblastic proliferation.


RESULTS
Erosion of grafts did not occur in any animal. Coated and uncoated meshes induced a mild inflammatory response with minimal fibrosis and good host tissue incorporation within the grafts. Few apoptotic and proliferating cells were seen for both graft types.


CONCLUSIONS
Both coated and uncoated polypropylene meshes elicit a mild foreign body reaction and minimal fibrotic response without evidence of vaginal epithelial erosion.
Huffaker
R Keith
RK
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX 76508, USA. khuffaker@swmail.sw.org
Muir
Tristi W
TW
Rao
Arundhati
A
Baumann
Shannon S
SS
Kuehl
Thomas J
TJ
Pierce
Lisa M
LM
D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D023421:Models, Animal; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011126:Polypropylenes; D003094:Collagen