Evaluation of Sepramesh biosurgical composite in a rabbit hernia repair model

Background In cases such as incisional hernia repair, polypropylene mesh (PPM) can be exposed to the underlying viscera and cause adhesions to the mesh. In this study, a composite prosthesis that was designed to be less susceptible to adhesion formation than PPM was evaluated in a rabbit incisional hernia repair model. Materials and Methods. A 5 x 7-cm full-thickness defect was created in the abdominal wall of 30 female New Zealand White rabbits. Ten animals each were repaired with PPM, Bard Composix (PP/ePTFE), or Sepramesh biosurgical composite-a polypropylene mesh coated on one side with chemically modified sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose (HA/CIVIC). The animals were sacrificed after 28 days and the overall performance, including adhesion formation and tissue integration by histology and mechanical testing, was evaluated. Results. In the Sepramesh group, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of surface area covered by adhesions and a significant increase in the percentage of animals with no adhesions compared to standard materials. The tissue integration strength and overall cellular response were similar in all groups. A partially remesothelialized peritoneal surface was often apparent overlying the Sepramesh implant. Conclusions. Sepramesh biosurgical composite effectively repaired abdominal wall defects in rabbits and reduced adhesion development to the mesh compared to the use of a PPM and a PP/ePTFE composite. (C) 2000 Academic Press.