Prevention of intraabdominal adhesions produced by polypropylene mesh.

Polypropylene mesh (PPM) is widely used in ventral hernia repair, however is also associated with visceral adhesions when the mesh is exposed to intraabdominal organs. In this study, a composite mesh [ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroehylene) + PPM] and sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethyl cellulose (NaHA/CMC) membrane laid under PPM are evaluated in terms of adhesion formation in a rat model of ventral hernia repair. In this experimental study, a 2 x 1 cm of peritoneum and underlying muscle defect was created at the right side of the anterior abdominal wall of 37 male Wistar albino rats. These defects were repaired with 2.5 x 2 cm PPM in group 1 (n = 13), with composite mesh in group 2 (n = 12) and with PPM+NaHA/CMC in group 3 (n = 12). Rats were sacrificed after 14 days and the prosthetic materials were examined for the calculation of surface area percentage covered by adhesions, for organ involvement in the adhesions and for histological evaluation. There was a reduction in the adhesion-covered area in group 2 and group 3. Organ involvement was predominantly seen in group 1. Neoperitoneum was perfect in group 2. Fibrosis and inflammation were higher in group 1. All groups showed adhesiogenic potential to some extent. This potential was maximum with PPM. Both ePTFE and NaHA/CMC displayed similar effects in preventing adhesion formation.

Effect of hypertonic saline and alcohol on viability of daughter cysts in hepatic hydatid disease.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of hypertonic saline (20%) and absolute alcohol on the integrity of daughter cysts and the viability of the protoscoleces contained in these cysts. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Turkey. MATERIAL: 80 daughter cysts obtained from two patients with Gharbi type III hydatid cysts of the liver. INTERVENTIONS: The cysts were divided into two groups, in the first of which cysts were placed into hypertonic saline and in the second into absolute alcohol; they were kept there for 5, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Integrity of the cyst wall and viability of the contents were evaluated using a vital staining technique with 0.1% eosin. RESULTS: Neither hypertonic saline nor absolute alcohol solution had any effect on the integrity of the daughter cysts or the viability of the protoscoleces. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage of type III hydatid cysts can lead to high recurrence rates.