Experimental study of a new original mesh developed for pelvic floor reconstructive surgery

Most synthetic meshes used in transvaginal surgery are made of polypropylene, which has a stable performance, but does not easily degrade in vivo. However, mesh-related complications are difficult to address and have raised serious concerns. A new biomaterial mesh with good tissue integration and few mesh-related complications is needed. To evaluate the effect of a new bacterial cellulose (BC) mesh on pelvic floor reconstruction following implantation in the vagina of sheep after 1 and 12 weeks.

The meshes were implanted in the submucosa of the posterior vagina wall of sheep. At 1 and 12 weeks after surgery, mesh-tissue complex (MTC) specimens were harvested for histological studies and biomechanical evaluation. At 12 weeks after surgery, MTC specimens were biomechanically assessed by a uniaxial tension "pulley system".

The BC mesh elicited a higher inflammatory response than Gynemesh™PS at both 1 and 12 weeks after implantation. Twelve weeks after implantation, the BC mesh resulted in less fibrosis than Gynemesh™PS. Compared with the Gynemesh™PS group, the BC mesh group had increased mRNA expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 (P < 0.05), but decreased expression of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-4 (P < 0.05). Twelve weeks after implantation, the ultimate load and maximum elongation percentage of the BC mesh were significantly lower than those of Gynemesh™PS.

The BC mesh could not be a promising biomaterial for pelvic floor reconstructive surgery unless the production process and parameters were improved.