Biomechanical properties of synthetic and biologic graft materials following long-term implantation in the rabbit abdomen and vagina. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the effects of anatomic location and ovariectomy on biomechanical properties of synthetic and biologic graft materials after long-term implantation. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 35 rabbits underwent ovariectomy or sham laparotomy and were implanted with polypropylene (PP) mesh (n = 17) or cross-linked porcine dermis (PS) (n = 18) in the vagina and abdomen. Grafts were harvested 9 months later and underwent mechanical properties testing. RESULTS: After implantation, PS was similar in strength (P = .52) but was twice as stiff as PP (P = .04) and had a maximal elongation only half that of PP (P < .001). Degradation of PS was associated with decreased ultimate tensile strength (P = .03) and elastic modulus (P = .046). Vaginal PP grafts shrunk more (P < .001) and were less stiff than abdominal PP grafts (P = .049) but were not different in strength (P = .19). Ovariectomy had no effect (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Cross-linked PS undergoes long-term degradation resulting in compromised biomechanical properties and thus is likely inferior to lightweight PP meshes for pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence procedures.

published proceedings

  • Am J Obstet Gynecol

altmetric score

  • 2.35

author list (cited authors)

  • Pierce, L. M., Grunlan, M. A., Hou, Y., Baumann, S. S., Kuehl, T. J., & Muir, T. W.

citation count

  • 50

complete list of authors

  • Pierce, Lisa M||Grunlan, Melissa A||Hou, Yaping||Baumann, Shannon S||Kuehl, Thomas J||Muir, Tristi W

publication date

  • January 2009