Healing process induced by three composite prostheses in the repair of abdominal wall defects

The present study compared the performance of three composite prostheses used to repair abdominal wall defects in rabbits. Two of them [Parietex Composite® (PC) and Composix® (CS)] are commonly used in clinical practice and one was designed by the present team (PL‐PU99). At 14 and 90 days postimplant, specimens were obtained for morphological, macrophage response (RAM‐11) and morphometric and biomechanical analysis. The prosthetic area covered by adhesions was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the CS group (6.83 ± 2.31 cm2) than in PC (0.11 ± 0.02 cm2) or PL‐PU99 (0.10 ± 0.07 cm2). At 14 days, it was observed a homogeneous, organized, well‐vascularized neoperitoneum that was significantly thicker (p < 0.05) in PL‐PU99. Except in the CS implants, this layer was covered by a continuous mesothelium. All three composites achieved good recipient tissue integration. Highest macrophage levels were recorded at 14 days with significantly higher values in the PL‐PU99 prosthesis. Biomechanical strength was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in CS at two weeks postimplant, but it was similar at 90 days. These findings suggest that the three composites show ideal integration with host tissue, along with similar biomechanical strength at 90 days, and significantly higher adhesion formation is induced by the CS prosthesis, possibly due to incomplete mesothelialization of the lower prosthetic surface. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 63: 182–190, 2002; DOI 10.002/jbm.10123