Evaluation of biomechanical properties of contemporary surgical meshes: experimental study

One of the main requirements to contemporary surgical meshes applied in the surgery of ventral hernias is the similarity of their elastic properties and the elasticity of the anterior abdominal wall, which is anisotropic. As a result, for the prevention of postoperative complications, it is important to choose a proper type of a mesh and its optimal location on the anterior abdominal wall with respect to anisotropy. The aim of the study was to investigate the mechanical (anisotropic) properties of surgical meshes, which are most commonly used in the current surgery of hernias of the anterior abdominal wall. The biomechanical model that simulates the behavior of a mesh installed in the anterior abdominal wall defect under the influence of the intraabdominal pressure was proposed. An experimental investigation of four types of meshes was carried out. Dependences of stiffness arising from specific loads due to mesh deformation were identified. Analysis of the obtained results allowed assessing the possibility of the applicability of each type of mesh in a particular clinical situation.