Fundamental properties of polypropylene mesh used in treatment of stress urinary incontinence

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

RM Natal Jorge (Author) FEUP; PALS Martins (Author) FEUP; A.J.M. Ferreira (Author) FEUP; Belmiro Patrício (Author) FEUP; JS Afonso (Author) FEUP; EC Baracat (Author) FEUP; G Rodrigues de Lima (Author) Other; J Bernardes (Author) FEUP; MJBC Girao (Author) Other; Teresa Mascarenhas (Author) FEUP; AA Fernandes (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics

Vol. 11

Pages: 27-33

ISSN: 1509-409X

Publisher: Oficyna Wydawnicza

Indexing

ISI Web of Science

Scopus

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Other medical sciences

CORDIS: Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Urology

Other information

Abstract (EN): BACKGROUND: Besides material biocompatibility, it is possible to infer that both vaginal and urethral erosion rates associated with sub-urethral synthetic slings may be related with the mechanical properties of the meshes and also with other characteristics. OBJECTIVE: With the aim of understanding what distinguishes the different polypropylene meshes, used for the treatment of the stress urinary incontinence (SUI), their fundamental properties were investigated. DESIGN AND SETTING: Five different mesh types were tested (Aris™, Auto Suture™, Avaulta™, TVTO™ and Uretex™). The chemical tests performed were differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared (FTIR). Furthermore, geometry (electron microscope), linear density and relative density (pyknometer) of the meshes were investigated. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The material of the meshes is the isotactic polypropylene homopolymer. Aris™ mesh presented the smallest fiber diameter, linear density and level of crystallinity of all the meshes used for the treatment of the SUI. The mechanical behaviours of the Auto Suture™ and Avaulta™ meshes are still unknown. CONCLUSIONS: Concerning the polypropylene meshes used for the treatment of the SUI, this study shows that there is a direct relation between fiber diameter, linear density and level of crystallinity with flexural stiffness.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific