Effects of polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses for abdominal plasty on local and systemic cytokine production.

We studied the effects of Esphyl polypropylene mesh and Ecoflon polytetrafluoroethylene endoprostheses on local and systemic production of cytokines. Polytetrafluoroethylene is a more reactogenic material than polypropylene; it stimulates mainly the local production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The local anti-inflammatory effect of polypropylene was less pronounced, but persisted for longer time.