Abstract Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of light-weight polypropylene mesh coated with polymerized and purified bovine type I collagen (Surgidry HNB) in the treatment of abdominal wall defect and the degree of adhesion formation. Methods: Two types of polypropylene mesh were implanted after creation of defect measuring 6.0cm X 5.5cm in the anterior abdominal wall of 32 male New Zealand breed rabbits, divided in two groups (n = 32): (1) light-weigh macroporous polypropylene, (2) type I polymerized and purified bovine collagen coated light-weigh macroporous polypropylene. These animals were further accessed for adhesions, histological evaluation of inflammation and wall’s thickness. Results: The percentage of the area adhered in group 1 (62.31 ± 16.6) was higher compared to group 2 (22.19 ± 14.57) (p <0.05). There was an association between the percentage of the covered area by adhesions and the type of adhesion, toughness and the scores obtained by the adhesion score by correlation analysis (p <0.05). There was no difference between the groups in any variables in relation to the degree of inflammation. Conclusion: The purified type I bovine collagen coated light-weigh polypropylene mesh showed to be effective in the repair of abdominal wall defects and reducing adhesion formation.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To develop an experimental model for incisional hernias and to compare morphological and functional aspects of hernia repairs by suture, polypropylene mesh and collagen mesh. METHODS: A defect measuring 7cm x 2cm was created in the anterior abdominal of 28 New Zealand male rabbits, divided into four groups (n = 7): (1) control, (2) suture of the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominal muscle, (3) setting of polypropylene mesh, and (4) setting of collagen mesh. On the 90th postoperative day, the animals were examined to verify the presence of incisional hernia. Samples of abdominal wall and scar were collected for histological study. RESULTS: Incisional hernia was identified in 85.7% of the control group, 57.1% of the suture group, 42.9% of the collagen mesh group, and none in the polypropylene mesh group (p = 0.015). Mesh exposure could be identified in 71.4% of the animals in group 3 and in no animal in group 4 (p = 0.021). The polypropylene mesh is effective in the treatment of abdominal wall defects, causing an intense inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSION: The collagen mesh is biocompatible, producing a minimal inflammatory reaction, but fails in the treatment of abdominal wall defects.