Abstract:

BACKGROUND: It is essential to find the ideal replacement materials for abdominal injury.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the application effect of composite repair materials-nano silver-porcine small intestine submucosa and polypropylene mesh on abdominal injury in rabbits..
METHODS: Composite repair materials-nano silver-porcine small intestine submucosa, experimental models (3×3 cm) with abdominal injury in rabbits caused by operation were prepared. Twenty white rabbits were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Composite materials were used to repair abdominal injury in experimental group; polypropylene mesh was used to repair abdominal injury in control group. Postoperative recovery of rabbits was observed and the cytotoxicity of composite materials was evaluated after operation. Rabbits underwent tensile strength of abdominal wall determination, intra-abdominal adhesion score, and histological observation at 1, 2 and 4 months after repair.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSLON: Two groups were simultaneously compared after operation, the extent and intensity of abdominal adhesions in composite materials were significantly lower than that in polypropylene mesh at the same time point (P < 0.05). The extent and intensity of abdominal adhesions in the two groups were higher at 4 months after repair than at 1 month after repair (P < 0.05). The tensile strength of composite materials was higher than that of polypropylene mesh at 1 and 2 months after repair (P < 0.05); and up to the fourth month, the tensile strength was similar in the two groups (P < 0.05). These two repair materials have good repair capacity, which can maintain adequate tensile strength of abdominal wall after operation. However, composite materials in terms of histocompatibility and anti-abdominal adhesion are superior to polypropylene mesh. The self-made nano silver-porcine small intestine submucosa feeding has no cytotoxicity, and which has feasibility of repairing abdominal injury as tissue engineering material.