The effect of thymoquinone coating on adhesive properties of polypropylene mesh.

BACKGROUND: An incisional hernia is a common complication following abdominal surgery. Polypropylene mesh is frequently used in the repair of such defects and has nearly become the standard surgical treatment modality. Though they are very effective in reducing recurrence, mesh materials exhibit a strong stimulating effect for intraabdominal adhesion. The thymoquinone (TQ) extracted from Nigella sativa seeds has potential medical properties. TQ has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The aim of this study is to coat polypropylene mesh with TQ in order to investigate the effect of surface modification on intraabdominal adhesions. METHODS: TQ-coated polypropylene mesh material was tested for cytotoxicity, contact angle, surface spectroscopy, TQ content, sterility, and electron microscopic surface properties. An experimental incisional hernia model was created in study groups, each consisting of 12 female Wistar rats. The defect was closed with uncoated mesh in control group, with polylactic acid (PLA) coated mesh and PLA-TQ coated mesh in study groups. Adhesion scores and histopathologic properties were evaluated after sacrifice on postoperative 21th day. RESULTS: Granuloma formation, lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, histiocyte fibroblast and giant cell formation, capillary infiltration, collagen content were significantly reduced in the PLA-TQ coated mesh group (p < 0.05). Though not statistically significant, likely due to the limited number of study animals, adhesion formation was also reduced in the PLA-TQ coated mesh group (p: 0.067). CONCLUSION: TQ coated mesh is shown to reduce adhesion formation and TQ is a promising coating material for mesh surface modification.

A rare case of paratubal cystadenoma during pregnancy.

Paratubal cysts (PTCs) are generally incidentally detected in pregnancy. However, paratubal cystadenomas in pregnant women are very rare cases who are reported individually. An unusually giant case of paratubal cystadenoma in a pregnant woman is presented here. A 27-year-old woman presented to our department for a routine pregnancy checkup. A giant cystic mass accompanying a 17-week gestation was detected on examination. During laparotomy, a huge right-sided PTC was resected. Histopathological evaluation revealed a benign cystadenoma originating in the ipsilateral paratubal space. PTCs are often denoted as being benign. Neoplastic transformation or malign potential will change the course of follow-up and the patients' prognosis. Treatment with surgical excision in the second trimester can safely prevent such associated adverse conditions. In conclusion, gynecologists should be careful for causes of adnexal masses in a woman with an intrauterine pregnancy. PTCs also tend to show accelerated growth patterns during pregnancy.