title: Biomechanical properties of synthetic and biologic graft materials following long-term implantation in the rabbit abdomen and vagina.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Grunlan
authors.forename: Yaping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Shannon S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kuehl
authors.forename: Tristi W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Muir
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes