Biomechanical properties of raw meshes used in pelvic floor reconstruction

Female urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are common conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the biomechanical properties of raw meshes commonly used in pelvic floor surgery, particularly the effects of cyclical loading on these meshes. The material properties of nine different types of surgical meshes were examined using uniaxial tensile tests. The strength and extensibility of the mesh designs differed considerably. Most mesh types exhibited curvilinear loading curves. Cyclical loading of mesh samples produced significant permanent deformation in all mesh designs. This non-recoverable extension ranged from about 8.5% to 19% strain. Hysteresis also varied considerably between materials from 30% to 85%. All mesh groups tested for their biomechanical properties displayed differences in results for failure load, stiffness, non-recoverable extension and hysteresis.