New polymer for intra-abdominal meshes--PVDF copolymer.
OBJECTIVE
Full tissue integration without adhesion formation is still a challenge for intra-abdominal mesh materials. Purpose of this study was to investigate the adhesive potential and fibrocollagenous ingrowth of a polymer blend of polyvinylidene fluoride and hexafluorpropylene (co-PVDF), an established suture material in vascular surgery, when placed as a mesh in the intra-abdominal position. The results were compared with a matching polypropylene (PP) mesh.


METHODS
In an established rabbit model, mesh implantation was performed by laparoscopy in the intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique. After 7, 21, and 90 days the degree of adhesion formation, foreign body reaction, bridging, and shrinkage of mesh area were investigated.


RESULTS
In the early phase after 7 and 21 days we found significantly more adhesions for PP, but no differences after 90 days. Analysis of tissue reaction showed a significantly lower fibrotic reaction for co-PVDF. The degree of shrinkage revealed no significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
Large-pore PP and co-PVDF-meshes showed comparable good results in the intra-abdominal position, with a reduced inflammatory tissue reaction for co-PVDF. Large pore meshes should be considered an alternative for the development of intraperitoneal onlay meshes.
Conze
Joachim
J
Department of Surgery, Rheinish-Westphalian Technical University, D-52074 Aachen.
Junge
Karsten
K
Weiss
Claudia
C
Anurov
Michael
M
Oettinger
Alexander
A
Klinge
Uwe
U
Schumpelick
V
V
D000005:Abdomen; D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008422:Materials Testing; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013784:Textiles; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers
D011145:Polyvinyls; C024865:polyvinylidene fluoride; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers