Experimental and morphological reasoning of glutinous fixation of polypropylene mesh implant to the muscles of the abdominal wall

ABSTRACT. Background Modern surgical interventions for inguinal hernias are performed with the obligatory use of mesh implants. The fixation of the mesh implant with hernioplasty is generally performed using seams or stapler. An alternative to mechanical fixation of a mesh implant may be fixation by a glue, which is used to bond (glued) soft tissues. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of glutinous fixation of a polypropylene mesh implant to the muscles of the abdominal wall in experimental animals. Methods. An experimentally-morphological study was conducted on 90 rats. Depending on the fixation, the rats were divided into three groups: I group - the mesh was fixed using glue; group II - the mesh was sewn with a prolene thread to the muscles; group III - the mesh was placed without fixation. From the experiment, the animals were withdrawn after 30 and 60 days and performed a morphological examination. Results. Results of the histological examination of the anterior abdominal wall tissue with the area of the polypropylene mesh in animals of group I there was a complete germination of the mesh. In the group II – the mesh was sprouted, inflammation was observed around the suture material (threads), the mesh germination nicely. In animals of group ІІІ, an adjoining netting of the mesh was observed, it did not germinate completely, there was shrinkage and migration of the mesh. Conclusion. The use of glue for fixing the polypropylene mesh to the muscles of the abdominal wall in comparison with the mechanical provides even germination with its connective tissue with minimal aseptic inflammation, which confirms the high efficiency of such fixation and can be recommended for use in clinical practice. The placement of a mesh implant in the tissues of the abdominal wall without fixation is accompanied by shrinkage and migration.