PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was compare the biocompatibility of a polypropylene mesh and a patch of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) when used to repair a defect involving the entire anterior abdominal wall of rats. METHODS:Twenty Wistar rats were allocated in 2 groups of 10 animals each. In the group 1 the defect was repaired with SIS and in the group2 it was repaired with polypropylene mesh. On the 30th post-operative day the animals were sacrificed for macroscopic , histological and tensiometric evaluation. RESULTS: Adhesions were present in the animals of both group , but in the polypropylene mesh group the intestinal adhesions were more frequent than in the SID group. The maximum tensile strength was greater in the polypropylene group, however is we consider the thickness of the implants, the tensile strength of submucosa was significantly greater. The mesothelium coverage and the collagen deposition was greater in the SID group. The foreign body reaction and the chronic inflammatory process was higher in the SID group. The percentage of mature collagen was significantly greater in the SIS group. CONCLUSION: We concluded that SIS can be an alternative to synthetic meshes when used to repair the defects of abdominal wall.
Small intestine submucosa; Polypropylene mesh; Abdominal wall defect
