Quantitative and qualitative analysis of collagen types in the fascia transversalis of inguinal hernia patients

Abstract

-Background -Inguinal hernia is the second most common surgical case in our field. The anatomical factors alone are not enough to explain the inguinal hernia. Studies show changes in the proportion and quantity of collagen fibers in the developing of inguinal hernia. The greater production of collagen type III compared to the type I could justify the thinning of the fascia transversalis and its weakness. Aim -To determine the quantitative and qualitative changes of collagen in the fascia transversalis in inguinal hernia patients and compare them to findings from corpses without inguinal hernia. Method -Prospective case-control study based on the biopsy of fascia transversalis of 27 patients and 24 corpses. The technique used was hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius colorimetry. Results -The medium percent area of collagen (types I + III) and collagen type I, in both groups, show no statistic difference. The quantity of collagen type III was greater in the patients. Patients classified with Nyhus IIIa presented greater quantity of collagen type III. Conclusion -There is no significant difference in the quantity of collagen in the fascia transversalis of patients compared to the controls. An increase in the quantity of collagen type III was found in patients with inguinal hernia and a greater quantity in those patients classified with Nyhus IIIa. HEADINGS -Hernia, inguinal. Fascia. Collagen.

Connective tissue alteration in abdominal wall hernia

“…In contrast, other studies found increased type III collagen and extractable collagen, but did not report statistically significant differences in the type I : III ratio in 32,50,56 .…”

Immunohistochemical analysis of collagen content and types in the rectus abdominis muscle of cadavers of different ages

“…In another study, no difference in the concentration of collagen was found between patients with hernias and cadavers without hernias 22 . Immunohistochemical analysis of type I and type III collagen in the skin of 18 patients with (n=9) and without (n=9) inguinal hernia has shown quantitative and qualitative significant differences in collagen fibers and collagen type I/III ratio between groups 23 . Other investigators have reported no significant difference in the amount of collagen in the fascia transversalis of patients with hernia compared with cadavers without hernia, but significantly larger amounts of type III collagen were found in patients with Nyhus type IIIa hernias compared with patients with other types of inguinal hernia 22 .…”

Collagenous matrix as a predictor for bone formation: a digital technique for collagen quantification

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