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Materials characterization and histological analysis of explanted polypropylene, PTFE, and PET hernia meshes from an individual patient

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Abstract

During its tenure in vivo, synthetic mesh materials are exposed to foreign body responses, which can alter physicochemical properties of the material. Three different synthetic meshes comprised of polypropylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials were explanted from a single patient providing an opportunity to compare physicochemical changes between three different mesh materials in the same host. Results from infrared spectroscopy demonstrated significant oxidation in polypropylene mesh while ePTFE and PET showed slight chemical changes that may be caused by adherent scar tissue. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed a significant decrease in the heat of enthalpy and melt temperature in the polypropylene mesh while the ePTFE and PET showed little change. The presence of giant cells and plasma cells surrounding the ePTFE and PET were indicative of an active foreign body response. Scanning electron micrographs and photo micrographs displayed tissue entrapment and distortion of all three mesh materials.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by the University of Missouri Life Sciences Predoctoral Fellowship, the University of Missouri F21C, and BICAM (Biomaterials Innovation, Characterization, and Analysis of Missouri) laboratory at the University of Missouri.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia, 162 Agricultural Engineering Building, Columbia, MO, USA

    A. J. Wood

  2. Department of Biological Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia, Room 148 Agricultural Engineering Building, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    M. J. Cozad & A. M. Ostdiek

  3. Department of Biological Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia, Room 210 Agricultural Engineering Building, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    D. A. Grant

  4. Department of General Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Mc423 McHaney Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    S. L. Bachman

  5. Department of Biological Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia, Room 250 Agricultural Engineering Building, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    S. A. Grant

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  1. A. J. Wood
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  2. M. J. Cozad
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  3. D. A. Grant
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  4. A. M. Ostdiek
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  5. S. L. Bachman
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  6. S. A. Grant
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Correspondence to S. A. Grant.

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Wood, A.J., Cozad, M.J., Grant, D.A. et al. Materials characterization and histological analysis of explanted polypropylene, PTFE, and PET hernia meshes from an individual patient. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 24, 1113–1122 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-013-4872-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-013-4872-y

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