Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Transvaginal Mesh Insertion in the Ovine Model
Published on: July 27, 2017
Bacterial colonisation of collagen-coated polypropylene vaginal mesh: are additional intraoperative sterility
Astrid Vollebregt1, Annet Troelstra, C Huub van der Vaart
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Spaarne Hospital, 2130 AT Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. a.vollebregt@umcutrecht.nl
Introduction And Hypothesis:
The use of vaginally implanted polypropylene meshes in the treatment of prolapse is becoming increasingly popular. We set out to detect how often bacterial colonisation of the mesh occurs and if the intraoperative sterility procedures that are applied matter.
Methods:
In 64 consecutive women, bacterial colonisation was compared between two intraoperative sterility procedures. Culture swabs of the core mesh were taken during surgery, and the mesh arms removed at the end of surgery were cultured separately.
Results:
Sixty-seven implants were cultured. In 56 (83.6%) implants, a positive culture with vaginal bacteria was found with very low bacterial density (<10(3 )colony-forming units). No significant differences in bacterial species, density, clinical infection and erosion (two anterior and one posterior) were found between the two intraoperative sterility methods.
Conclusions:
Colonisation of vaginally implanted mesh occurs frequently but in low bacterial densities, irrespective of the intraoperative sterility procedure used.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...