Full thickness abdominal wall defect in growing rats as a model for congenital diaphragmatic hernia prosthetic repair.

Background: Large congenital diaphragmatic hernia may require prosthetic correction. Acellular collagen matrices were introduced to avoid complications owing to the use of synthetic patches. We tested 3 different ACM for reconstruction of an abdominal wall defect in an animal model that mimics the fast growth during infancy.

Calculation of membrane tension in selected sections of the pelvic floor.

Introduction And Hypothesis: A mathematical model to estimate membrane tensions (Mt) at the urogenital hiatus and midpelvis in patients with and without prolapse is proposed. For that purpose the complex structures of the pelvic floor were simplified and, based on assumptions concerning geometry and loading conditions, Laplace's law was used to calculate Mt. The pelvic cavity is represented by an ellipsoid in which the midpelvic and hiatal sections are described by an ellipse.

A comparative study on culture conditions and routine expansion of amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Background: Amniotic fluid (AF) cell populations will be applied in perinatology. We aimed to test the feasibility of large-scale cell expansion.

Study Methods: We determined the best out of three published expansion protocols for mesenchymal progenitors (AF samples, n = 4) in terms of self-renewal ability.

Combined biaxial and uniaxial mechanical characterization of prosthetic meshes in a rabbit model.

The present experimental study is aimed at a combined uniaxial and biaxial mechanical characterization of the deformation behavior of two types of prosthetic meshes, SPMM (heavy-weight) and Gynemesh M (light-weight, partly absorbable), after integration in the host tissue. Explants from a full-thickness-abdominal-wall-defect-rabbit-model were tested in the two loading conditions. Corresponding protocols and data analysis procedures for biaxial inflation tests and uniaxial tensile tests were developed.

One-year outcome of biological and synthetic bioabsorbable meshes for augmentation of large abdominal wall defects in a rabbit model.

Background: Long-term efficacy of biological and synthetic bioabsorbable meshes for large hernia repair is currently unclear. This rabbit study is aimed at investigating 1-y outcome of biological and synthetic bioabsorbable meshes for augmentation of large abdominal wall defects.

Materials And Methods: In 46 rabbits, an 11 × 4 cm, full-thickness abdominal wall defect was repaired primarily, or with cross-linked (Permacol, Collamend) or non-cross-linked (Surgisis 4-ply, Surgisis Biodesign) biological, synthetic bioabsorbable (GORE BIO-A Tissue Reinforcement [TR], TIGR Matrix Surgical Mesh [MSM]), or polypropylene (Bard Mesh) meshes, using the underlay augmentation technique.

Biomechanical effects of polyglecaprone fibers in a polypropylene mesh after abdominal and rectovaginal implantation in a rabbit.

Introduction And Hypothesis: To investigate the biomechanical effects of polyglecaprone fibers in lightweight meshes implanted into the vaginal and abdominal wall of parous rabbits.

Methods: New Zealand White rabbits (n = 24) were implanted with polypropylene meshes (32 g/m(2)), with (Prolift plus M, n = 12) or without (Prolift minus M, n = 12) polyglecaprone fibers. Following implantation in the posterior vaginal and abdominal wall, local side effects were evaluated and explants underwent uniaxial tensiometry after 120 and 180 days.

Persistence of polypropylene mesh anisotropy after implantation: an experimental study.

Objective: To determine whether anisotropy persisted after incorporation into the host, using a standardised rabbit model for abdominal wall reconstruction.

Design: Investigator-initiated prospective-controlled experimental study.

Setting: Centre for Surgical Technologies, Medical Faculty KU-Leuven.

Shrinkage and biomechanical evaluation of lightweight synthetics in a rabbit model for primary fascial repair.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The experiment evaluated different lightweights (<32 g/m(2)) in terms of shrinkage and biomechanics.

Methods: PP-8 (polypropylene of 7.6 g/m(2)), PP-s (PP-8 with absorbable sheets), PP-32 (PP with absorbable fibers; 32.

Porous acellular porcine dermal collagen implants to repair fascial defects in a rat model: biomechanical evaluation up to 180 days.

Aim: To investigate the biomechanical properties of porous collagen matrices in a rat abdominal wall defect model.

Study Design: 112 rats were implanted with non-cross-linked InteXèn LP, cross-linked Pelvicol, and two investigational acellular collagen matrices (ACMs) sterilized either with ethylene oxide (ACM ETO) or gamma-irradiation (ACM GI). After 14, 30, 90 and 180 days, 7 animals per group were sacrificed to document adhesions, herniation, infection, stress resistance and histology.

Biomechanical findings in rats undergoing fascial reconstruction with graft materials suggested as an alternative to polypropylene.

Aims: Graft materials used for pelvic floor reinforcement should still be considered as investigational and, therefore, evaluated experimentally and within clinical trials. The present report describes our biomechanical findings in rats implanted with selected novel implant materials, which in recent years have been suggested as alternatives to plain polypropylene (PP) meshes.

Methods: Full thickness abdominal wall defects were primarily repaired by the implant of interest.

Experimental comparison of abdominal wall repair using different methods of enhancement by small intestinal submucosa graft.

Introduction And Hypothesis: To assess the biomechanical properties of full-thickness abdominal wall defects, either using Native tissues, with or without Overlay, and by substitution of the Defect by small intestinal submucosa mesh.

Methods: Seventy-two rats were divided into three groups according to repair method (Native, Overlay or Defect). At 7, 14, 30, and 90 days, six rats were sacrificed to measure tensile strength, collagen ingrowth, and host response.

The biology behind fascial defects and the use of implants in pelvic organ prolapse repair.

Implant materials are increasingly being used in an effort to reduce recurrence after prolapse repair with native tissues. Surgeons should be aware of the biology behind both the disease as well as the host response to various implants. We will discuss insights into the biology behind hernia and abdominal fascial defects.