title: Biomechanical analysis of polypropylene prosthetic implants for hernia repair: an experimental study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Rouen University, UPRES EA GRHV, France. Fabrice.Sergent@chu-rouen.fr
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sergent
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Desilles
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lacoume
authors.forename: Jean-Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tuech
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Marie
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bunel
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes