LONG-TERM MECHANICAL COMPATIBILITY OF POLYPROPYLENE SURGICAL MESHES

Abstract

The properties of meshes: Surgimesh®, Technomesh[Formula: see text] and SurgiproTMaged for up to four years were assessed using tensile tests. We discovered that the elasticity of Technomesh[Formula: see text] increased in both directions, Surgimesh[Formula: see text] became more elastic in the longitudinal direction while the elastic properties of SurgiproTMremained unchanged. The mesh samples did not significantly change their strength and deformability with age. Samples from umbilical and inguinal area of the abdominal wall were isolated from 14 donors. The investigation included 90 specimens divided into three age subgroups — A (up to 60 years), B (61–80 years) and C (over 80 years). The long-term mechanical compatibility of human fascia and meshes was compared. The elastic properties of the meshes are closer to the elastic properties of the fascia in the direction parallel to fibers if the donors’ age is up to 60 years.