Abstract
Aim: The purpose was to evaluate soft-tissue healing after poly(lactic acid) (PLA94) mesh implantation in a rat model. Methods: Full-thickness abdominal wall defects were created in 108 Wistar rats, and reconstructed with 83 PLA94 and 25 lightweight polypropylene (PPL) meshes. The meshes were previously γ-ray sterilised with 25, 75 or 125 kGy to accelerate PLA94 degradation. Results: The inflammatory response in PLA94 was significantly less pronounced and collagen organisation significantly better than in PPL. The higher the level of γ-radiation, the higher the incidence of abdominal wall herniation (22.2, 31.3 and 52.6% with 25, 75 and 125 kGy, respectively). No herniation occurred in the PPL group. Tensile strength was dramatically reduced after γ-ray-sterilised PLA94 mesh implantation. Conclusion: The γ-ray-sterilised PLA94 mesh was poor in preventing abdominal wall hernia recurrences in a rat model.