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Published on: August 28, 2015
Antibiotic-loaded polypropylene surgical meshes with suitable biological behaviour by plasma functionalization and
C Labay1, J M Canal2, M Modic3
1Surfaces, Products and Textile Processes Research Group, Textile and Paper Engineering Dept., Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), C/ Colom, 1, 08222, Terrassa, Spain; Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Group, Materials Science and Metallurgy Dept., UPC, Av. Diagonal 647, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
Plasma treatment enhances polypropylene surgical mesh wettability, enabling 3-fold higher ampicillin loading for infection prevention in hernia repair. This improves antibiotic delivery without compromising essential cell properties.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Hernia repair is a common surgery with infection risks.
- Antibiotic-loaded surgical meshes can prevent implant-associated infections.
- Polypropylene (PP) mesh wettability limits antibiotic loading capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve antibiotic loading on PP meshes for hernia repair.
- To enhance PP mesh surface properties using plasma treatment.
- To maintain biological properties of PP meshes after surface modification.
Main Methods:
- Plasma treatment was used to modify the surface of PP meshes.
- Ampicillin was loaded onto the modified PP meshes.
- A PEG-like dry coating was deposited using low-pressure plasma.
- Cell properties (chemotaxis, adhesion, morphology) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Plasma treatment significantly improved PP mesh wettability.
- Antibiotic loading capacity increased by 3-fold.
- The PEG-like coating maintained high drug loading.
- Cellular properties remained comparable to untreated meshes.
Conclusions:
- Plasma-treated PP meshes offer enhanced antibiotic delivery for hernia repair.
- Surface modification can overcome limitations of PP mesh wettability.
- This approach provides antibacterial activity while preserving crucial biological functions.
