Histologic response of porcine collagen-coated and uncoated polypropylene grafts in a rabbit vagina model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the host tissue response in the rabbit vagina differs for 2 synthetic graft materials that are used in pelvic reconstructive surgery. One strip of porcine collagen-coated or uncoated polypropylene mesh was implanted adjacent to a sham operative site into the posterior vagina of 10 New Zealand white rabbits and harvested 12 weeks later. Rabbits were assigned randomly to group 1 (coated; n = 5), group 2 (uncoated; n = 5), or group 3 (unoperated; n = 4). Full-thickness sagittal sections of posterior vaginal wall and rectum were scored for inflammation, neovascularization, and fibroblastic proliferation. Erosion of grafts did not occur in any animal. Coated and uncoated meshes induced a mild inflammatory response with minimal fibrosis and good host tissue incorporation within the grafts. Few apoptotic and proliferating cells were seen for both graft types. Both coated and uncoated polypropylene meshes elicit a mild foreign body reaction and minimal fibrotic response without evidence of vaginal epithelial erosion.