Abstract
Background
Incisional hernia remains as one of the most common surgical complications. Different mesh techniques are used in 75–80% of hernia repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dependence of mesh positioning and the type of mesh implanted on foreign body reaction and collagenous ingrowth.
Materials and methods
In 24 male Chinchilla rabbits, an incisional hernia repair was performed with mesh reinforcement either by sublay (n = 12) or by onlay technique (n = 12). In each group, two different types of mesh prosthesis were investigated: polypropylene (PP, Prolene®) and polypropylene-polyglecaprone 25 composite (PP-PG, UltraPro®). On postoperative day 60, the inflammatory and connective tissue formation was characterised by measuring the diameter of inner cellular infiltrate and outer fibrous capsule of the foreign body granuloma, and by verifying the collagen type I/III ratio. Furthermore, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was analysed.
Results
Microscopic investigation of the mesh/host-tissue interface showed typical formation of foreign body granuloma. The diameters of the inner part of the foreign body granuloma representing the amount of inflammatory cell infiltrate were significantly increased in the PP mesh compared to the PP-PG mesh, both in the sublay group (PP 13.1 ± 1.21 μm vs. PP-PG 11.7 ± 0.34 μm; P = 0.026) and in the onlay group (PP 13.1 ± 1.24 μm vs. PP-PG 11.2 ± 0.55 μm; P = 0.009). The diameter of the fibrous capsule as the outer ring of the granuloma was significantly increased when investigating the PP mesh in sublay position (29.5 ± 1.12 μm) compared to the PP mesh in onlay position (27.9 ± 0.73 μm) (P = 0.026). Investigating the quality of perifilamentary collagen deposition expressed as collagen type I/III ratio, the sublay group showed significantly elevated values compared to the onlay group (PP sublay 3.1 ± 0.18 vs. PP onlay 2.4 ± 0.41; P = 0.004) (PP-PG sublay 3.5 ± 0.34 vs. PP-PG onlay 2.6 ± 0.13; P = 0.002). The analysis of MMP-2 expression revealed no significant differences.
Conclusion
The beneficial results of mesh reinforcement in the sublay technique might be due to a superior quality of postoperative connective tissue formation. Mesh incorporation, irrespective of positioning, is favourable in low-weight, large, porous mesh material represented by a reduced inflammatory part of the foreign body granuloma.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Conze J, Klinge U, Schumpelick V (2005) Incisional hernia. Chirurg 76(9):897–909
Amid PK, Lichtenstein IL (1996) Retromuscular alloplasty of large scar hernias: a simple staple attachment technique. Chirurg 67(6):648–652
Schumpelick V, Klinge U, Welty G, Klosterhalfen B (1999) Meshes within the abdominal wall. Chirurg 70(8):876–887
Trupka AW, Hallfeldt KK, Schmidbauer S, Schweiberer L (1998) Management of complicated incisional hernias with underlay-technique implanted polypropylene mesh. An effective technique in French hernia surgery. Chirurg 69(7):766–772
Conze J, Kingsnorth AN, Flament JB, Simmermacher R, Arlt G, Langer C et al (2005) Randomized clinical trial comparing lightweight composite mesh with polyester or polypropylene mesh for incisional hernia repair. Br J Surg 92(12):1488–1493
Anthony T, Bergen PC, Kim LT, Henderson M, Fahey T, Rege RV et al (2000) Factors affecting recurrence following incisional herniorrhaphy. World J Surg 24(1):95–100
Girotto JA, Malaisrie SC, Bulkely G, Manson PN (2000) Recurrent ventral herniation in Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. Plast Reconstr Surg 106(7):1520–1526
Thomas GP, Purkayastha S, Athanasiou T, Darzi A (2008) General surgical manifestations of Marfan’s syndrome. Br J Hosp Med (Lond) 69(5):270–274
Klinge U, Zheng H, Si ZY, Schumpelick V, Bhardwaj R, Klosterhalfen B (1999) Synthesis of type I and III collagen, expression of fibronectin and matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -13 in hernial sac of patients with inguinal hernia. Int J Surg Investig 1(3):219–227
Klinge U, Si ZY, Zheng H, Schumpelick V, Bhardwaj RS, Klosterhalfen B (2001) Collagen I/III and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1 and 13 in the fascia of patients with incisional hernias. J Invest Surg 14(1):47–54
Zheng H, Si Z, Kasperk R, Bhardwaj RS, Schumpelick V, Klinge U et al (2002) Recurrent inguinal hernia: disease of the collagen matrix? World J Surg 26(4):401–408
Conze J, Krones CJ, Schumpelick V, Klinge U (2007) Incisional hernia: challenge of re-operations after mesh repair. Langenbecks Arch Surg 392(4):453–457
Langer C, Kley C, Neufang T, Liersch T, Becker H (2001) Problem of recurrent incisional hernia after mesh repair of the abdominal wall. Chirurg 72(8):927–933
Junge K, Klinge U, Rosch R, Mertens PR, Kirch J, Klosterhalfen B et al (2004) Decreased collagen type I/III ratio in patients with recurring hernia after implantation of alloplastic prostheses. Langenbecks Arch Surg 389(1):17–22
Klosterhalfen B, Klinge U, Schumpelick V (1998) Functional and morphological evaluation of different polypropylene-mesh modifications for abdominal wall repair. Biomaterials 19(24):2235–2246
Junge K, Klinge U, Rosch R, Klosterhalfen B, Schumpelick V (2002) Functional and morphologic properties of a modified mesh for inguinal hernia repair. World J Surg 26(12):1472–1480
Klinge U, Zheng H, Si Z, Schumpelick V, Bhardwaj RS, Muys L et al (1999) Expression of the extracellular matrix proteins collagen I, collagen III and fibronectin and matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -13 in the skin of patients with inguinal hernia. Eur Surg Res 31(6):480–490
Klinge U, Si ZY, Zheng H, Schumpelick V, Bhardwaj RS, Klosterhalfen B (2000) Abnormal collagen I to III distribution in the skin of patients with incisional hernia. Eur Surg Res 32(1):43–48
Junge K, Klinge U, Rosch R, Lynen P, Binnebösel M, Conze J et al (2007) Improved collagen type I/III ratio at the interface of gentamicin-supplemented polyvinylidenfluoride mesh materials. Langenbecks Arch Surg 392(4):465–471
Chevrel JP (1979) The treatment of large midline incisional hernias by “overcoat” plasty and prothesis (author’s transl). Nouv Presse Med 8(9):695–696
Rives J, Lardennois B, Pire JC, Hibon J (1973) Large incisional hernias. The importance of flail abdomen and of subsequent respiratory disorders. Chirurgie 99(8):547–563
Remmele W, Stegner HE (1987) Recommendation for uniform definition of an immunoreactive score (IRS) for immunohistochemical estrogen receptor detection (ER-ICA) in breast cancer tissue. Pathologe 8(3):138–140
Junqueira LC, Cossermelli W, Brentani R (1978) Differential staining of collagens type I, II and III by Sirius Red and polarization microscopy. Arch Histol Jpn 41(3):267–274
Rosch R, Lynen-Jansen P, Junge K, Knops M, Klosterhalfen B, Klinge U et al (2006) Biomaterial-dependent MMP-2 expression in fibroblasts from patients with recurrent incisional hernias. Hernia 10(2):125–130
Rosch R, Junge K, Knops M, Lynen P, Klinge U, Schumpelick V (2003) Analysis of collagen-interacting proteins in patients with incisional hernias. Langenbecks Arch Surg 387(11–12):427–432
Israelsson LA, Smedberg S, Montgomery A, Nordin P, Spangen L (2006) Incisional hernia repair in Sweden 2002. Hernia 10(3):258–261
Vestweber KH, Lepique F, Haaf F, Horatz M, Rink A (1997) Mesh-plasty for recurrent abdominal wall hernias—results. Zentralbl Chir 122(10):885–888
Langer C, Liersch T, Kley C, Flosman M, Süss M, Siemer A et al (2003) Twenty-five years of experience in incisional hernia surgery. A comparative retrospective study of 432 incisional hernia repairs. Chirurg 74(7):638–645
San Pio JR, Damsgaard TE, Momsen O, Villadsen I, Larsen J (2003) Repair of giant incisional hernias with polypropylene mesh: a retrospective study. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 37(2):102–106
Binnebösel M, Rosch R, Junge K, Flanagan TC, Schwab R, Schumpelick V et al (2007) Biomechanical analyses of overlap and mesh dislocation in an incisional hernia model in vitro. Surgery 142(3):365–371
Junge K, Rosch R, Bialasinski L, Klinge U, Klosterhalfen B, Schumpelick V (2003) Persistent extracellular matrix remodelling at the interface to polymers used for hernia repair. Eur Surg Res 35(6):497–504
Junge K, Klinge U, Klosterhalfen B, Mertens PR, Rosch R, Schachtrupp A et al (2002) Influence of mesh materials on collagen deposition in a rat model. J Invest Surg 15(6):319–328
Rosch R, Junge K, Quester R, Klinge U, Klosterhalfen B, Schumpelick V (2003) Vypro II mesh in hernia repair: impact of polyglactin on long-term incorporation in rats. Eur Surg Res 35(5):445–450
Rosch R, Junge K, Schachtrupp A, Klinge U, Klosterhalfen B, Schumpelick V (2003) Mesh implants in hernia repair. Inflammatory cell response in a rat model. Eur Surg Res 35(3):161–166
Junge K, Klinge U, Prescher A, Giboni P, Niewiera M, Schumpelick V (2001) Elasticity of the anterior abdominal wall and impact for reparation of incisional hernias using mesh implants. Hernia 5(3):113–118
Klinge U, Klosterhalfen B, Conze J, Limberg W, Obolenski B, Ottinger AP et al (1998) Modified mesh for hernia repair that is adapted to the physiology of the abdominal wall. Eur J Surg 164(12):951–960
Junge K, Binnebösel M, Rosch R, Ottinger A, Stumpf M, Mühlenbruch G et al (2008) Influence of mesh materials on the integrity of the vas deferens following Lichtenstein hernioplasty: an experimental model. Hernia 12(6):621–626
Jansen M, Otto J, Jansen PL, Anurov M, Titkova S, Willis S et al (2007) Mesh migration into the esophageal wall after mesh hiatoplasty: comparison of two alloplastic materials. Surg Endosc 21(12):2298–2303
Jansen PL, Kever M, Rosch R, Krott E, Jansen M, Alfonso-Jaume A et al (2007) Polymeric meshes induce zonal regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene expression by macrophages and fibroblasts. FASEB J 21(4):1047–1057
Jansen PL, Rosch R, Jansen M, Binnebösel M, Junge K, Alfonso-Jaume A et al (2007) Regulation of MMP-2 gene transcription in dermal wounds. J Invest Dermatol 127(7):1762–1767
Acknowledgement
We are grateful to Mrs. Ellen Krott for her most excellent and careful assistance during this investigation.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Binnebösel, M., Klink, C.D., Otto, J. et al. Impact of mesh positioning on foreign body reaction and collagenous ingrowth in a rabbit model of open incisional hernia repair. Hernia 14, 71–77 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-009-0580-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-009-0580-4