Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
Use of a Rat Model to Study Ventral Abdominal Hernia Repair
Published on: October 2, 2017
Carcinogenic potential of commonly used hernia repair prostheses in an experimental model
P Witherspoon1, G Bryson, D M Wright
1University Department of Surgery, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK. paul_witherspoon@hotmail.com
Background:
The purpose of this study was to assess the carcinogenic potential of commonly used hernia repair prostheses in an animal model.
Methods:
Three types of prosthetic material (monofilament polypropylene, multifilament polypropylene and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) were implanted in CBA/H mice. Flat (1 cm(2)) and rolled pieces of the same material were placed subcutaneously in either flank, and a further flat piece was placed in the preperitoneal space. Owing to a high incidence of mesh extrusion in the polypropylene groups, the study protocol was modified to allow only preperitoneal placement of the material. A fourth, control, group had the pockets for the prostheses created but no material implanted. After modification of the protocol there were approximately 60 mice in each group. The mice were followed for 2 years, then killed and assessed histologically for tumour development.
Results:
No sarcoma developed at the site of mesh implantation in any of the groups.
Conclusion:
This study indicates that the risk of sarcoma formation at the site of hernia repair prostheses is very low.
