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Updated: Nov 29, 2025
Calvarial Model of Bone Augmentation in Rabbit for Assessment of Bone Growth and Neovascularization in Bone Substitution Materials
Published on: August 13, 2019
Biomechanical and adhesion comparison of linea alba prophylactic reinforcement with coated and uncoated
Bruno De Lucia Hernani1, Paulo Henrique Fogaça de Barros2, Luciano Tastaldi3
1Fellow Master degree, Postgraduate Program in Surgery Research, Santa Casa de São Paulo, School of Medical Sciences, and Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz (HAOC), Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil. Acquisition of data, technical procedures, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation and writing.
Purpose:
Incisional hernia (IH) is a frequent complication of median laparotomy. The use of prophylactic mesh to reduce IH incidence has gained increasing attention. We hypothesized that in an animal model, linea alba prophylactic reinforcement with a three-dimensional T-shaped polypropylene mesh results in greater abdominal wall resistance.
Methods:
Study was performed in 27 rabbits. After abdominal midline incision, animals were divided into three groups according to the laparotomy closure method used: (1)3D T-shaped coated mesh; (2)3D T-shaped uncoated mesh; and (3) closure without mesh. After 4 months, each animal's abdominal wall was resected and tensiometric tests were applied. Results included IH occurrence, adhesions to the mesh, and wound complications.
Results:
There was no significant difference between the groups in maximum tensile strength (p=0.250) or abdominal wall elongation under maximum stress (p=0.839). One rabbit from the control group developed IH (p=1.00). Small intestine and colon adhesions occurred only in the uncoated mesh group (p<0.001) and the degree of adhesions was higher in this group compared to the coated mesh group (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
Use of the current 3D T-shaped prophylactic mesh model did not result in a significant difference in tensiometric measurements when compared with simple abdominal wall closure in rabbits.
