Purified porcine collagen membrane modulates integration of polypropylene mesh implant in a rat model

Old women are expected to undergo pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery. Distress caused by POP affects women´s quality of life. Although polypropylene mesh (PM) is considered a good material to restore the pelvic floor, there are concerns about infection and vaginal mesh exposure. This research studies the optic properties of inflammatory reaction and the tissue repair induced by a PM covered by porcine collagen membrane (CM). Thirty female rats were shared in two groups: (A) exposed to PM covered by CM and (B) exposed to PM alone; five animals each group were euthanized at day 7, 14 and 28 of post-operation day (POD). Collagen anisotropic properties were analyzed. In the 7⍛PO group A pushes vascular proliferation on, as lymphocytes and fibroblasts infiltration. Group B evidenced amount of histiocytes and beginning of encapsulating. At the 14⍛PO group A keeps the characteristics of lymphocytic infiltration and rounding the PM there is a thin layer of fat tissue separating it from the muscles layer; Group B evidenced amount of fibroblasts rounding the PM and multinucleated giant cells crushed by a wrap of collagen and fibroblasts. The 28⍛PO group A revealed big fibroblasts process with expressive histiocytes presence. Group B shows much multinucleated giant cells trying to wrap up the polypropylene, a considerate decreased infiltration, and the striated muscles layer infiltrated the implanted area. PM covered with a highly purified porcine collagen membrane showed earlier resolution of inflammatory reaction, better neoangiogenesis and more organized host collagen deposition than in pure PM.