Induction of intrabdominal adhesion formation by a polypropylene mesh prosthesis:

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The correction of groin hernias using a transperitoneal videolaparoscopic method with a polypropylene mesh is becoming increasingly common. This could lead to an increased incidence of adhesion formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The incidence of adhesions induced by mesh placement and by reperitonization was observed in 40 male adult Wistar rats, randomly allocated to four groups of 10 rats (Group A = no mesh, no reperitonization; B = no mesh, reperitonization; C = mesh, no reperitonization; D = mesh and reperitonization). After opening the abdominal cavity, the iliac fossa was identified and a peritoneal opening, measuring about 2 by 2 cm, was done on the parietal wall. In the rats in which a polypropylene prosthesis was used, a piece of Marlex mesh, measuring about 1.5 by 1.5 cm was placed on the peritoneal opening. A simple suture was performed in the animals submitted to reperitonization, using a 5.0 monofilamentar polypropylene thread on a cardiovascular (atraumatic) needle. The animals were killed 15 days after the operation. Macroscopic analysis was done by an investigator blinded to intervention group. Fisher’s exact test and the c2 test were used for statistical analysis of the results. A P < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: Adhesions were significantly more common in the groups in which the prosthesis was placed (59% vs. 95%; P = 0.01), as well as in the groups in which reperitonization was performed (58% vs. 100%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that polypropylene mesh placement and reperitonization are each independent factors that have a role in inducing the formation of adhesions.