Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse
Published on: June 20, 2014
Mesh contraction: in vivo documentation of changes in apparent surface area utilizing meshes visible on magnetic
Masayuki Endo1, Andrew Feola, Nikhil Sindhwani
1Pelvic Floor Unit, A Programme of Gynaecology, Urology and Gastro-Enterology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Introduction And Hypothesis:
Our aim was to analyze the apparent contraction of meshes in vivo after abdominal wall reconstruction and evaluate histological and biomechanical properties after explantation.
Methods:
Nine New Zealand female rabbits underwent repair of two full-thickness 25 × 30-mm midline defects in the upper and lower parts of the abdomen. These were primarily overlaid by 35 × 40-mm implants of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) DynaMesh (n = 6) or polypropylene meshes Ultrapro (n = 6) and Marlex (n = 6). Edges of the meshes were secured with iron(II,III) oxide (Fe(3)O(4))-loaded PVDF sutures. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were taken at days 2, 30 and 90 after implantation. The perimeter of the mesh was traced using a 3D spline curve. The apparent surface area or the area within the PVDF sutures was compared with the initial size using the one-sample t test. A two-way repeat analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the apparent surface area over time and between groups.
Results:
PVDF meshes and sutures with Fe(3)O(4) could be well visualized on MRI. DynaMesh and Marlex each had a 17 % decrease in apparent surface area by day 2 (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001), respectively, which persisted after day 90. Whereas there was a decrease in apparent surface area in Ultrapro, it did not reach significance until day 90 (p = 0.01). Overall, the apparent surface area decreased 21 % in all meshes by day 90. No differences in histological or biomechanical properties were observed at day 90.
Conclusions:
There was a reduction in the apparent surface area between implantation and day 2, indicating that most mesh deformation occurs prior to tissue in-growth.
