Biomechanical analysis of polypropylene prosthetic implants for hernia repair: an experimental study.
BACKGROUND
Although polypropylene (PP) is the most common biomaterial used for ventral and inguinal hernia repairs, its mechanical properties remain obscure.


METHODS
Retraction, solidity, and elasticity of 3 large pore-size monofilament PP prostheses, 1 heavy-weight PP (HWPP), a second low-weight PP, and a third coated with atelocollagen were evaluated in a rabbit incisional hernia model. A small pore-size multifilament PP implant (MPP) also was tested.


RESULTS
Unlike pore size, the weight of the prosthesis was not an influencing factor for retraction. Atelocollagen coating reduced retraction (P < .05). HWPP and MPP were less likely to rupture (P < .05). HWPP had comparatively better elasticity (P < .05), whereas MPP supported the greatest elastic force (P < .05). Nevertheless, the amount of shrinkage of MPP (30% of the original size) made this prosthesis unusable.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, HWPP presented the most advantageous biomechanical compromise for hernia surgery.
Sergent
Fabrice
F
Rouen University, UPRES EA GRHV, France. Fabrice.Sergent@chu-rouen.fr
Desilles
Nicolas
N
Lacoume
Yann
Y
Tuech
Jean-Jacques
JJ
Marie
Jean-Paul
JP
Bunel
Claude
C
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004548:Elasticity; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011126:Polypropylenes; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013718:Tensile Strength
D011126:Polypropylenes