COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ABSORBABLE, NON-ABSORBABLE AND AUTOLOGOUS MESH FOR HERNIORAPHY IN A RABBIT MODEL

Abstract

The breakage of abdominal muscles while skin remains intact is categorized as hernia. It may be either reducible or irreducible. The irreducible hernia is difficult to handle by simple methods and it requires attention. Abdominal anomalies related to trauma, rupturing of peritoneal membrane, and muscular dystrophy is common. Trauma is a common cause of abdominal rupturing in rabbits. Hernias are abnormal bulges due to weakness in the abdominal wall. A new technique is being introduced known as intra-abdominal mesh transplant that give better protection compared to sutures especially for herniorrhaphy. For the correction of abdominal hernias, two methods are being undertaken viz. auto graft and synthetic grafts. By the use of reconstruction surgery, abdominal cavity can be used as a tremendously rich reservoir of auotgenous vascularized tissue. The experimental study was designed and planned to be conducted on thirty Six (36) healthy, adult, indigenous rabbits ranging from 500-1000g in weight. The rabbits aged between 6 months to 1 year were selected. All thirty six rabbits were grouped into three major groups i.e., A, B, and C comprising 12 rabbits in each group. Group A rabbits were treated with Polypropylene mesh method technique. Group B rabbits were treated with polyglycolic acid mesh and Group C were corrected with Rectus Abdominis muscle technique. They were further divided into 2 subgroups consisting of having 6 male and 6 female in each sub-group. Wound healing was better in herniorrhaphy technique than hernioplasty. Recurrence of hernia is another complication of the hernioplasty and Herniorrhaphy. Recurrence after hernial repair due to the inadequate fixation of meshes, small size mesh and inappropriate adherence of the mesh with the muscles or fascia. Hernial recurrence rate, suture line, wound healing and other clinical observations study showed that Herniorrhaphy with rectus muscle grafting have advantages over polypropylene mesh and polyglycolic acid mesh.