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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Use of a Rat Model to Study Ventral Abdominal Hernia Repair
Published on: October 2, 2017
Influence of temporary abdominal wall repair on the intestinal integrity: an experimental study in the rat
M Overhaus1, N Schaefer, A Hirner
1Department of Surgery, University of Bonn Medical Center, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. marcus.overhaus@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Background And Aims:
The aim of this study was to analyze intestinal integrity after temporary abdominal wall repair with absorbable mesh.
Methods:
Rats underwent abdominal wall repair with absorbable mesh or sham operation. Myeloperoxidase-positive cells in the intestinal muscularis were histochemically quantified. Intestinal transit was visualized 48 h after surgery. Local and systemic inflammatory response was measured with TNF-alpha and IL-6 ELISA as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) expression in serum and peritoneal fluid.
Results:
Neutrophil count of the intestinal muscularis revealed that infiltration in the mesh-implanted and in the mesh-free animals 48 h postoperatively was similar. Gastrointestinal transit was similarly unaffected 48 h after surgery, with or without mesh implantation. TNF-alpha, IL-6 and MDA concentration in serum and peritoneal fluid showed no significant differences between the two groups.
Conclusion:
Intestinal contractility and local and systemic inflammatory response remained unaffected. Therefore, absorbable mesh augmentation is a safe and reliable method for temporary repair of the abdominal wall without affecting the intestinal integrity.
