Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
Transvaginal Mesh Insertion in the Ovine Model
Published on: July 27, 2017
Uniaxial biomechanical properties of seven different vaginally implanted meshes for pelvic organ prolapse
Jonathan P Shepherd1, Andrew J Feola, Steven D Abramowitch
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 300 Halket St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. shepherdjp@upmc.edu
Introduction And Hypothesis:
Recently, numerous type I macroporous polypropylene vaginal meshes have been introduced into the market with little known of their differences.
Methods:
Seven vaginal meshes were obtained and loaded to failure (n = 5/type). Additional cyclic loading determined permanent deformation with submaximal loading.
Results:
The load elongation curves demonstrated a bilinear response with lower stiffness (N/mm), followed by higher stiffness. Ascend™ was the stiffest mesh in both regions of the load elongation curve (0.72 and 1.66 N/mm) with the lowest transition to higher stiffness (13.4%). Polyform™ had the highest failure load (53.8 N) while Ultrapro™ had the lowest (7.83 N). Novasilk™ (89.4%) and Ultrapro™ (87.9%) had the highest relative elongations at mesh failure while Ascend™ had the lowest (40.2%). Ascend™ had the least relative elongation after three protocols of cyclic loading (3.0%, 9.8%, and 9.7%).
Conclusions:
Current vaginal meshes demonstrate marked variation in biomechanical characteristics which may impact the in vivo behavior.
