Is mesh fixation necessary in abdominal hernia repair? Results of an experimental study in the rat.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Abdominal hernia repair with implantation of synthetic meshes using the sublay technique has resulted in low recurrence rates and high patient satisfaction.

AIM:

The purpose of this experimental animal study was to investigate whether mesh fixation is necessary in abdominal hernia repair using a polypropylene mesh in the sublay technique.

METHODS:

Forty-five rats were divided into three groups after creating an abdominal wall defect (CG control group, no mesh implantation; NoFixG mesh implantation without fixation group; SG mesh with suture fixation group) with 15 animals in each group. End-points were clinical herniation pressure, hydroxyproline (HP) concentration, mesh shape and number of fibroblasts/collagen fibres of the anchor zone 7, 14 and 90 days after implantation.

RESULTS:

Herniation pressure, HP content and number of fibroblasts were similar between NoFixG and SG, although significantly higher in these groups than in the CG (P<0.05). Both mesh groups had significantly higher counts of fibroblasts and collagen fibres than the CG. Mesh shrinking occurred in both groups but was less in the SG.

CONCLUSION:

Mesh fixation was not mandatory in abdominal hernia repair using this animal model.

• Authors: J Zieren, E Castenholz, C A Jacobi, H U Zieren, J M Müller
• Journal: Langenbeck's archives of surgery (Langenbecks Arch Surg) Vol. 384 Issue 1 Pg. 71-5 (Feb 1999) ISSN: 1435-2443 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 10367634 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Polypropylenes
• Hydroxyproline

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Count
• Fibroblasts (cytology)
• Hernia, Ventral (surgery)
• Hydroxyproline (analysis)
• Patient Satisfaction
• Polypropylenes
• Prosthesis Implantation
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Recurrence
• Surgical Mesh