Dynamic creep properties of a novel nanofiber hernia mesh in abdominal wall repair

Abstract

Purpose: Incisional hernia is the most common complication following abdominal surgery. While mesh repair is common, none of the current meshes mimic the physiology of the abdominal wall. This study compares suture only repair with polypropylene mesh and a prototype of a novel implant (poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanofibers) and their influence on the physiology of an abdominal wall in an animal model. Methods: 27 Chinchilla rabbits were divided into six groups based on the type of the implant. Midline abdominal incision was repaired using one of the compared materials with suture alone serving as the control. 6 weeks post-surgery animals were killed and their explanted abdominal wall subjected to biomechanical testing. Results: Both—hysteresis and maximum strength curves showed high elasticity and strength in groups where the novel implant was used. Polypropylene mesh proved as stiff and fragile compared to other groups. Conclusion: Poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanofiber scaffold is able to improve the dynamic properties of healing fascia with no loss of maximum tensile strength when compared to polypropylene mesh in an animal model.