Novel Polycaprolactone‐Chitosan Hybrid Scaffold: A Double‐Sided Hernia Mesh for Regeneration of Abdominal Wall Defects with Minimized Adverse Adhesions

Abstract

AbstractAs an alternative for currently available hernia meshes, electrospun scaffolds represent good biocompatibility and favorable healing performance. However, they usually cannot meet the minimum mechanical requirements for a successful hernia repair. Here, a double‐faced hernia mesh comprised of electrospun polycaprolactone fibers (PCL) and chitosan nanofibers (CS) is developed to address this limitation. The privileged fibrous structure of PCL, in visceral side, can potentially guarantee the required mechanical criteria to withstand intra‐abdominal pressures and minimizing adverse adhesions. On the ventral side (facing incision), a stabilized CS layer is developed to improve cellular behavior and tissue regeneration. According to the results, PCL‐CS scaffold (thickness ≈ 500 µm) properly matches with the mechanical properties of native abdominal wall and closely meets the suggested thresholds in strength (33.3 N cm−1) and elasticity (15.26%). Superior cytocompatibility of PCL‐CS is confirmed by the in vitro studies using L929 fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Full‐thickness abdominal wall defects are used to compare tissue regeneration and adverse adhesions for PCL‐CS with the polypropylene commercial mesh (Prolene) and suture groups. Gross examinations demonstrate lower rate of unfavorable adhesions in PCL‐CS compared to Prolene and suture groups. Concerning the histological analyses, PCL‐CS exhibits reduced inflammation, less fibrosis, and better tissue remodeling.