title: Mechanical properties and tissue reinforcement of polypropylene grafts used for pelvic floor repair--an experimental study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although grafts can be made from the same materials, the final weave of the product may play a role in the ultimate outcomes or complications. The aim of this experimental study is to evaluate and compare the mechanical properties of the meshes and their influence on biological characteristics as well.
  
  
  METHODS
  Full-thickness abdominal wall defect with respect to the peritoneum was primary repaired in 144 male Wister rats using the overlay technique. Monofilament, multifilament and coated polypropylene grafts were used for the repairs. Graft shrinkage, thickness and tensile strength of the explants were analysed after 3 and 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Monofilament grafts showed the highest shrinkage level of 11.97-18% during the investigated period. The thickness of monofilament explants increased gradually, with a maximum of 25.35% after 6 weeks. Multifilament and collagen explants did swell more rapidly in the third week, decreasing thereafter to 19.63-23.04% above the pre-implantation values after 6 weeks. The tensile strength showed a gradual increase over the course of the experiment in all groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After graft stabilisation, all samples had similar strength, regardless of the significant differences in the pre-implantation values of graft strength.
authors.affiliation: Urology Clinic, University Clinical Center Nis, Hajduk Stanka 8/49, 18 000 Nis, Serbia. pota@medianis.net
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potic
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ignjatovic
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Savic
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Djekic
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radenkovic
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004548:Elasticity; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000601:surgery; D011126:Polypropylenes; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes