Mechanical aspects of the degradation process of partially absorbable composite hernia meshes

D. Pashkouleva, M. Kirilova-Doneva

Abstract: The study aimes to characterize and compare mechanical properties of commonly used partially absorbable composite meshes Ultrapro and Vypro II after in vitro degradation. Mesh specimens were placed in digital thermostatic bath full of buffer solution for 90 days (Vypro II) and 120 days (Ultrapro). Dried samples were subjected to tensile test, weight and shrinkage evaluation, and their main mechanical parameters - maximum tensile stress Tmax, stretch at maximum stress λmax and elastic secant modulus of mesh E5 -were compared before and after degradation. The results show that there are statistically significant differences between parameters of Ultrapro and Vypro after in vitro degradation in transversal direction. UP mesh is superior, with higher tensile strength than VP mesh after degradation. Our results illustrate that mesh orientation should be considered during the selection of the surgical mesh and the information for anisotropy should be described from each mesh manufacturer.

Series on Biomechanics, Vol.36 No.1 (2022), 98-104
DOI: 10.7546/SB.13.2022

Keywords: in vitro degradation; mechanical properties; Surgical mesh

Date published: 2022-04-12