Research
Infection susceptibility of crosslinked and non-crosslinked biological meshes in an experimental contaminated environment

Presented an oral summary at the 5th Congress of the American Hernia Society in New York, March 28–31, 2012 and the annual meeting of the Dutch Society of Surgery 2012, Veldhoven, May 10–11, 2012.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2014.06.025Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

This experimental study investigates infectious complications and functional outcome of biological meshes in a contaminated environment.

Methods

In 90 rats peritonitis was induced, and after 24 hours, a biological mesh was implanted intraperitoneally including 2 non-crosslinked mesh groups (Strattice and Surgisis) and 2 crosslinked mesh groups (CollaMendFM and Permacol). Sacrifice was after 90 and 180 days.

Results

More mesh infections occurred in crosslinked meshes compared with non-crosslinked meshes (70% vs 4%; P < .001). Mesh infection was the highest in crosslinked CollaMendFM (81.2%) and lowest in non-crosslinked Strattice groups (0%). Incorporation into the abdominal wall was poor in all meshes (0% to 39%). After 180 days no residue of non-crosslinked Surgisis mesh was found. After 180 days, shrinkage was .8% in crosslinked Permacol and 20% in Strattice groups. Strattice showed the least adhesion formation (median 5%).

Conclusions

Infection rate of biological meshes in a contaminated field was the highest in crosslinked meshes. All biological meshes showed poor incorporation, which makes long-term abdominal wall repair questionable.

Section snippets

Animals

Experimental protocols were approved by the Ethical Committee on Animal Experimentation of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Ninety male rats of the outbred Wistar strain were obtained from a licensed breeder (Harlan, the Netherlands) and accustomed to laboratory conditions 2 weeks before the start of the experiment. The animals were bred under specific pathogen-free conditions, were kept under standard laboratory conditions in individually ventilated cages in pairs, and had free access to

Results

During the 2 days after implantation of the mesh, 18 of the 90 rats (20%) were prematurely taken out of the experiment because of a low wellness score. Postoperative mortality was not statistically different between the groups. In all rats necropsy was performed and septicemia was found to be the cause of death. Abdominal cultures at day 1 confirmed bacterial contamination in all animals with gram-positive (Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus) and gram-negative microorganisms (

Comments

Crosslinked biological meshes were found to have a significantly higher percentage of mesh infection (70% vs 4%; P < .001) and intra-abdominal abscesses (P = .011) than non-crosslinked biological meshes. Infectious complications required euthanasia before the intended time point in almost half of animals in the crosslinked CollaMendFM group, as described in previous animal experiments.23, 24, 25, 26, 27 These results are in accordance with clinical reports of infectious complications of

Conclusions

In conclusion, this experiment demonstrates a high infection rate and increased adhesion formation of crosslinked biological meshes (Permacol and CollaMendFM). Resistance to infection of non-crosslinked Strattice could allow implantation in the contaminated environment. However, the poor incorporation of all biological meshes and complete degradation of Surgisis makes long-term biomechanical strength of hernia repair questionable. Implantation of biological prostheses could be a valid choice in

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    There were no relevant financial relationships or any sources of support in the form of grants, equipment, or drugs.

    The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

    I.M.M., E.B.D., J.J., and J.F.L. contributed to the study concept and design. I.M.M. and E.B.D. contributed to the acquisition of data. I.M.M., E.B.D., W.A.B., J.J., and J.F.L. contributed to the analysis and interpretation of data. I.M.M., E.B.D., and J.F.L. drafted the manuscript. I.M.M., E.B.D., W.A.B., J.J., and J.F.L. contributed to the critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. I.M.M. and E.B.D. contributed to statistical analysis. J.J. and J.F.L. obtained funding for the study. J.J. provided administrative, technical, and material support. W.A.B., J.J., and J.F.L. supervised the study.

    For this experiment CollaMendFM meshes were provided by C.R. Bard [Davol], Warwick, RI, NJ and Permacol meshes by Sofradim, Trevoux, France, part of Covidien, North Haven, CT. The sponsors were not involved in design and conduct of the study, collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data and preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.

    I.M.M. and E.B.D. had full access to all the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

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    Both authors contributed equally to designing and performing the experiment, data-interpretation, and writing of the manuscript and both should be considered first authors.

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