Carcinogenic potential of commonly used hernia repair prostheses in an experimental model

• Published in: British journal of surgery 2004-03, Vol.91 (3), p.368-372
• Main Authors: Witherspoon, P., Bryson, G., Wright, D. M., Reid, R., O'Dwyer, P. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinogens; Follow-Up Studies; Foreign-Body Reaction - etiology; General aspects; Herniorrhaphy; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred CBA; Polypropylenes - adverse effects; Polytetrafluoroethylene - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0007-1323; 1365-2168
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.4462

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the carcinogenic potential of commonly used hernia repair prostheses in an animal model. Methods: Three types of prosthetic material (monofilament polypropylene, multifilament polypropylene and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) were implanted in CBA/H mice. Flat (1 cm2) and rolled pieces of the same material were placed subcutaneously in either flank, and a further flat piece was placed in the preperitoneal space. Owing to a high incidence of mesh extrusion in the polypropylene groups, the study protocol was modified to allow only preperitoneal placement of the material. A fourth, control, group had the pockets for the prostheses created but no material implanted. After modification of the protocol there were approximately 60 mice in each group. The mice were followed for 2 years, then killed and assessed histologically for tumour development. Results: No sarcoma developed at the site of mesh implantation in any of the groups. Conclusion: This study indicates that the risk of sarcoma formation at the site of hernia repair prostheses is very low. Copyright © 2004 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. No evidence for tumour risk