ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To compare fibroplasia and the resistance of the abdominal wall when polypropylene meshes and polypropylene/poliglecaprone are used. METHODS: Seventy-seven male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control Group (for resistance); Group E (polypropylene mesh); and Group U (polypropylene/poliglecaprone mesh). The animals in Groups E and U had a standard muscular and aponeurotic defect, with integral peritoneum, and correction with the mesh. Measurements were taken 4, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days after surgery. The resistance, and collagen density were studied. RESULTS: Resistance on the 56th day was similar in both meshes. The gain in resistance described an ascending curve for the polypropylene mesh and was irregular in the case of the polypropylene/poliglecaprone. Fibroplasia showed a gain in type I and type III collagen in both groups (p<0.001). Collagen III stabilized in the 14th day and collagen I continued to ascend. CONCLUSIONS: The gain in resistance of the polypropylene mesh is regular and ascending, whereas the polypropylene/poliglecaprone is not regular. The final resistance of both meshes is similar; the collagen density increases over time, and show the same inflammatory potential.

PURPOSE: To compare the inflammatory reaction and the growing resistance of the abdominal wall with the use of poliglecaprone meshes and polypropylene meshes associated with poliglecaprone in the correction of abdominal defects. METHODS: Seventy-seven Wistar rats were divided into three groups: CG (non-operated animals: EG (polypropylene mesh) and UG (polypropylene and poliglecaprone mesh). A muscular and aponeurotic defect was formed and treated according to the group. Evaluations were made after 4, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days. The resistance and inflammatory pattern were studied. RESULTS: There was a gradual and significant gain in resistance, regularly in the EG and irregularly in the UG, which was lower on the 14th day (p=0.008). The inflammatory reaction was acute and more intense in the UG on the fourth day. At all other times, the inflammatory pattern was acute to chronic, similar in both groups, with minimum intensity on the 56th day. CONCLUSION: The greater resistance offered by the polypropylene mesh was regular and ascending, stabilizing on the 28th day, while that of the polypropylene/poliglecaprone was not even. In the end, the resistances were similar. The inflammatory response was greater in the UG on the fourth day and similar at all other times.