Pre-clinical assay of the tissue integration and mechanical adhesion of several types of cyanoacrylate adhesives in the fixation of lightweight polypropylene meshes for abdominal hernia repair

IntroductionLightweight (LW) polypropylene (PP) meshes better adapt to host tissue, causing less fibrosis and inflammatory responses than high-density meshes. Mesh fixation using tissue adhesives (TA) that replace conventional sutures may improve the process of hernia repair and tissue trauma. This preclinical study compares the behavior of different cyanoacrylate-based adhesives in the fixation of LW-PP meshes for hernia repair.MethodsPartial abdominal wall defects were repaired using LW-PP Optilene meshes in New Zealand rabbits. The following groups were established according to the mesh fixation method: Suture (control), Glubran 2 (n-butyl), Ifabond (n-hexyl), SafetySeal (n-butyl) and Evobond (n-octyl). At 14, 90 and 180 days after surgery, the recovered implants were examined to assess the host tissue integration, the macrophage response and the biomechanical strength.ResultsAll the groups showed optimal host tissue incorporation regardless of the fixation procedure. Significantly increased levels of collagen 1 and collagen 3 gene expression (pConclusionsAll the cyanoacrylates, despite inducing a significantly increased macrophage response versus sutures, showed optimal host tissue integration and long-term mechanical behavior; thus, they might be good choices for LW-PP mesh hernia repairs.