Purpose
Biologic meshes have unique physical properties as a result of manufacturing techniques such as decellularization, crosslinking, and sterilization. The purpose of this study is to directly compare the biocompatibility profiles of five different biologic meshes, AlloDerm® (non-crosslinked human dermal matrix), PeriGuard® (crosslinked bovine pericardium), Permacol® (crosslinked porcine dermal matrix), Strattice® (non-crosslinked porcine dermal matrix), and Veritas® (non-crosslinked bovine pericardium), using a porcine model of ventral hernia repair.
Methods
Full-thickness fascial defects were created in 20 Yucatan minipigs and repaired with the retromuscular placement of biologic mesh 3 weeks later. Animals were euthanized at 1 month and the repair sites were subjected to tensile testing and histologic analysis. Samples of unimplanted (de novo) meshes and native porcine abdominal wall were also analyzed for their mechanical properties.
Results
There were no significant differences in the bio-mechanical characteristics between any of the mesh-repaired sites at 1 month postimplantation or between the native porcine abdominal wall without implanted mesh and the mesh-repaired sites (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). Histologically, non-crosslinked materials exhibited greater cellular infiltration, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and neovascularization compared to crosslinked meshes.
Conclusions
While crosslinking differentiates biologic meshes with regard to cellular infiltration, ECM deposition, scaffold degradation, and neovascularization, the integrity and strength of the repair site at 1 month is not significantly impacted by crosslinking or by the de novo strength/stiffness of the mesh.
Introduction
Pancreatic leak or fistula is the most frequent complication following left pancreatectomy. We performed a single-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial comparing stapled left pancreatectomy with stapled left pancreatectomy using mesh reinforcement of the staple line with either Seamguard® or Peristrips Dry®.
Methods
All patients undergoing left pancreatectomy at a large tertiary hospital were eligible for participation. Patients were randomized to either mesh reinforcement or no mesh reinforcement intraoperatively after being determined a candidate for resection. Patients were blinded to the result of their randomization for 6 weeks. Primary outcome measure was clinically significant leak as defined by the ISGPF pancreatic leak grading system.
Results
One hundred patients were randomized to either mesh (54) or no mesh (46) reinforcement of their pancreatic transection. There was one death in each group. ISGPF grade B and C leaks were seen in 1.9% (1/53) of patients undergoing resection with mesh reinforcement and 20% (11/45) of patients without mesh reinforcement (p=0.0007).
Conclusions
Mesh reinforcement of pancreatic transection line significantly reduces the incidence of significant pancreatic fistula in patients undergoing left pancreatectomy.
Trial Registration
Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01359410
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