Comparative Study of Sutureless Fixation of Lightweight Surgical Meshes for Hernia Repair in a Rat Model

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different methods of sutureless fixation of lightweight meshes made of different polymers for repair of experimental hernias. Two lateral hernia defects were modeled in male rats and covered with polyester and polypropylene prostheses. The meshes were fixed with Histacryl glue (group 1), or self-gripping meshes were used (group 2), or the meshes were implanted without fixation (group 3). On day 5 after surgery, mesh position and efficiency of fixation were evaluated. It was found that fixation is necessary for all light surgical meshes. Polyester meshes demonstrated better adhesive properties than polypropylene meshes. The most pronounced differences in the adhesive properties were found for self-gripping prosthesis, while in the groups with glue fixation, the differences were less pronounced.