Evaluation of absorbable and permanent mesh fixation devices: adhesion formation and mechanical strength

• Published in: Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery 2011-10, Vol.15 (5), p.553-558
• Main Authors: Byrd, J. F., Agee, N., Swan, R. Z., Lau, K. N., Heath, J. J., Mckillop, I. H., Sindram, D., Martinie, J. B., Iannitti, D. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdominal Surgery; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Equipment Design; Female; Hernia, Ventral - surgery; Herniorrhaphy - instrumentation; Laparoscopy; Materials Testing; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Prosthesis Retention - instrumentation; Surgical Mesh; Swine; Tissue Adhesions - etiology
• ISSN: 1265-4906; 1248-9204
• DOI: 10.1007/s10029-011-0826-9

Purpose Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is commonly performed with mesh prostheses; however, there is no standard for fixation devices used to secure mesh to the abdominal wall. This study is a functional comparison of novel, screw-type absorbable and permanent fixation devices with a traditional titanium fixation device. Methods Fifteen pigs each underwent the laparoscopic placement of two 11 × 14-cm mesh prostheses and were randomized for mesh fixation with either titanium spiral tacks (TS), absorbable screw-type fasteners (SF), or permanent screw-type fasteners (PF) ( n  = 10 mesh prostheses for each fixation group). Adhesions were assessed laparoscopically at 4 weeks. The fixation devices were also embedded in porcine abdominal rectus muscle for ex vivo mechanical testing along with partial thickness polypropylene suture (PR) as a control group ( n  = 40 for each group). Maximum pull-off forces were measured. All statistical tests were two-tailed, and a P -value