Small Intestinal Submucosa: Observation Of Biocompatibility And Used For Repairing Abdominal Wall Defect In Rats

Objective: To observe the biocompatibility and degradation of small intestinal submucosa( SIS )and to compare small intestinal submucosa and polypropylene mesh (PPM) for repairing abdominal wall defects in rats .Methods: (1) SIS was implanted in the back of SD rats . Histology changes were observed 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 week after surgery. (2)One hundred SD rats were randomly divided into two groups . Full thickness abdominal wall defects (2 cm × 2 cm) were created through surgery and were repaired by SIS and PPM respectively . At different postoperative time (1,2,4,8,12 week), the animals were sacrificed , the histology changes, the tensile strength and the development of adhesions were observed and measured.Results: The implant test showed SIS had good biocompatibility .It cannot be seen 8week after operation. All animals were healthy after surgery. The inflammatory response with both SIS and PPM were marked 1 and 2week postoperatively and were minimal after 4 week. No obvious immunoreaction were observed . Finally fibroconective tissue were formed to restore the integrity of abdominal wall .The tensile strength of abdominal wall in SIS group was lower than PPM group at 1 week(p<0.05), however , there were no different at 4,8,12 week . Adhesions was more marked in PPM group than that in SIS group(p<0.05)at any time postoperatively.Conclusions: Both SIS and PPM are histologically compatible when used in rats and can maintain sufficient tensile strength . SIS was superior to PPM in regards to tissue compatibility and adhesion formation .