Shrinking of polypropylene mesh in vivo: an experimental study in dogs

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Abstract
Objective: To assess the extent of shrinkage of meshes used for hernia repair. Design: Experimental study in dogs. Setting: University hospital, Germany and University Research Centre, Moscow. Animals: 10 dogs had monofilament polypropylene meshes that weighed 95 g/m2 (Marlex®) or multifilament reduced polypropylene meshes combined with polyglactin 910 that weighed 55 g/m2 (Soft Hernia Mesh®) implanted for either 3 or 6 months. Main outcome measures: Histological appearance and radiological assessment of the position and area of the mesh. Results: After 4 weeks the area of mesh in the monofilament group was reduced from to 139 (11) to 75 (8) cm2 (54%) and that of the multifilament from 116 (18) to 77 (20) cm2 (66%). The multifilament mesh with the reduced amount of polypropylene showed less inflammatory response and less shrinkage. The mesh did not seem to have moved. Conclusion: Meshes that contain a lot of polypropylene shrink to about 30%–50% of their original size after 4 weeks, requiring an overlap of at least 3 cm if implanted subfascially. Reduction in the polypropylene content decreases both the inflammatory response and the shrinkage. Meshes with big pores are less likely to fold and improve compatibility. Copyright © 1998 Taylor and Francis Ltd.

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