Biomechanical properties of synthetic and biologic graft materials following long-term implantation in the rabbit abdomen and vagina.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate the effects of anatomic location and ovariectomy on biomechanical properties of synthetic and biologic graft materials after long-term implantation.


METHODS
A total of 35 rabbits underwent ovariectomy or sham laparotomy and were implanted with polypropylene (PP) mesh (n = 17) or cross-linked porcine dermis (PS) (n = 18) in the vagina and abdomen. Grafts were harvested 9 months later and underwent mechanical properties testing.


RESULTS
After implantation, PS was similar in strength (P = .52) but was twice as stiff as PP (P = .04) and had a maximal elongation only half that of PP (P < .001). Degradation of PS was associated with decreased ultimate tensile strength (P = .03) and elastic modulus (P = .046). Vaginal PP grafts shrunk more (P < .001) and were less stiff than abdominal PP grafts (P = .049) but were not different in strength (P = .19). Ovariectomy had no effect (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-linked PS undergoes long-term degradation resulting in compromised biomechanical properties and thus is likely inferior to lightweight PP meshes for pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence procedures.
Pierce
Lisa M
LM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA.
Grunlan
Melissa A
MA
Hou
Yaping
Y
Baumann
Shannon S
SS
Kuehl
Thomas J
TJ
Muir
Tristi W
TW
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020405:Dermis / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D007813:Laparotomy; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D023421:Models, Animal; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013552:Swine; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes