Medium-term outcome of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy using polivinylidene fluoride as compared to a hybrid polyglecaprone and polypropylene mesh: A matched control study

Emerging materials and technologies for advancing bioresorbable surgical meshes

Surgical meshes play a significant role in the treatment of various medical conditions, such as hernias, pelvic floor issues, guided bone regeneration, and wound healing. To date, commercial surgical meshes are typically made of non-absorbable synthetic polymers, notably polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene, which are associated with postoperative complications, such as infections. Biological meshes, based on native tissues, have been employed to overcome such complications, though mechanical strength has been a main disadvantage. The right balance in mechanical and biological performances has been achieved by the advent of bioresorbable meshes. Despite improvements, recurrence of clinical complications associated with surgical meshes raises significant concerns regarding the technical adequacy of current materials and designs, pointing to a crucial need for further development. To this end, current research focuses on the design of meshes capable of biomimicking native tissue and facilitating the healing process without post-operative complications. Researchers are actively investigating advanced bioresorbable materials, both synthetic polymers and natural biopolymers, while also exploring the performance of therapeutic agents, surface modification methods and advanced manufacturing technologies such as 4D printing. This review seeks to evaluate emerging biomaterials and technologies for enhancing the performance and clinical applicability of the next-generation surgical meshes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In the ever-transforming landscape of regenerative medicine, the embracing of engineered bioabsorbable surgical meshes stands as a key milestone in addressing persistent challenges and complications associated with existing treatments. The urgency to move beyond conventional non-absorbable meshes, fraught with post-surgery complications, emphasises the necessity of using advanced biomaterials for engineered tissue regeneration. This review critically examines the growing field of absorbable surgical meshes, considering their potential to transform clinical practice. By strategically combining mechanical strength with bioresorbable characteristics, these innovative meshes hold the promise of mitigating complications and improving patient outcomes across diverse medical applications. As we navigate the complexities of modern medicine, this exploration of engineered absorbable meshes emerges as a promising approach, offering an overall perspective on biomaterials, technologies, and strategies adopted to redefine the future of surgical meshes.

Early safety and efficiency outcomes of a novel interdisciplinary laparoscopic resection rectopexy combined with sacrocolpopexy for women with obstructive defecation syndrome and pelvic organ prolapse: a single center study

BACKGROUND

Obstructive defecation syndrome (ODS) defines a disturbed defecation process frequently associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in women that substantially compromises quality of life. Conservative management offers limited relief and a surgical intervention may be required. This is characterized by individual approaches. AIM OF THE STUDY: This retrospective single center study evaluated the surgical and clinical short-term outcome of a novel interdisciplinary laparoscopic resection rectopexy (L-RRP) with mesh- sacrocolpopexy (L-SCP) for women suffering from ODS and POP.

METHODS

The study participants underwent surgery in an interdisciplinary laparoscopic approach. Safety was the primary endpoint, assessed via postoperative morbidity classified by Clavien-Dindo scale. Secondary outcomes included evaluation of bowel function, fecal and urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse status at 12 months follow-up. Additionally, a biological mesh (BM) was offered to women, who asked for an alternative to synthetic mesh material (SM).

RESULTS

Of the 44 consecutive patients requiring surgery for ODS and POP, 36 patients underwent the interdisciplinary surgical approach; 28 patients with SM and 8 patients with BM. In total 5 complications occurred, four of them were classified as minor. One minor complication was observed in the BM group. One anastomotic leakage occurred in the SM group. The two ODS scores, the bowel dysfunction score, and the incontinence score improved significantly (p = 0.006, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, and p = 0.0035, respectively). Pelvic floor anatomy was fully restored (POP-Q 0) for 29 (80%) patients after surgery. 17 patients (47%) suffered from urinary incontinence before surgery, which was restored in 13 patients (76.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The interdisciplinary approach with L-RRP and L-SCP and the use of a BM in a small subgroup were technically feasible, safe, and effective in this single center setting. The study's retrospective design, the small sample size and the lack of comparators limit the generalizability of the findings requiring future randomized trials.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov, trial number NCT05910021, date of registration 06/10/2023.

Polypropylene composite mesh modified by polyurethane gel with ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects for pelvic floor repair

Development of an inflammation modulating polypropylene (PP) mesh in pelvic floor repair is an urgent clinical need. This is because PP mesh for pelvic floor repair can cause a series of complications related to foreign body reactions (FBR) in postoperative period. Therefore, we successfully prepared PP composite mesh that can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibit inflammation to moderate FBR by a simple method. First, a pregel layer was formed on PP mesh by dip coating. Among them, polyurethane with polythioketal (PTK) is an excellent ROS scavenger, and dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) improves the stability of the coating and synergistically scavenges ROS. Then, a composite mesh (optimal PU50-PP) was obtained by photopolymerization. The results showed that the polyurethane gel layer was able to scavenge more than 90% of free radicals and about 75% of intracellular ROS. In vitro, PU50-PP mesh significantly scavenged ROS and resisted macrophage adhesion. After implantation in the posterior vaginal wall of rats, PU50-PP eliminated 53% of ROS, inhibited inflammation (decreased IL-6, increased IL-10), and dramatically reduced collagen deposition by about 64%, compared to PP mesh. Thus, the composite PP mesh with ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties provides a promising approach for mitigating FBR.

Triple-compartment strategy for abdominal sacral colpopexy using PVDF mesh: one-year report of anatomical and subjective outcomes

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Abdominal Sacral Colpopexy (ASC) is one of the best surgical methods to repair apical or uterine prolapse. We aimed to evaluate the short-term results of a triple-compartment open ASC strategy using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) mesh in the treatment of patients with severe apical or uterine prolapse.

METHODS

Women with high-grade uterine or apical prolapse with or without cysto-rectocele were prospectively enrolled in the study from April 2015 to June 2021. We performed all-compartment repair using a tailored PVDF mesh for ASC. We assessed the severity of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system at baseline and 12 months after the operation. The patients completed the International Continence Society Questionnaire Vaginal Symptom (ICIQ-VS) questionnaire at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Thirty-five women with a mean age of 59.8±10.0 years were included in the final analysis. Stage III and stage IV prolapse was evident in 12 and 25 patients, respectively. After 12 months, the median POP-Q stage was significantly lower compared to the baseline (4 vs 0, p=<0.0001). Vaginal symptoms score was also reduced significantly at 3-month (7.5±3.5), 6-month (7.3±3.6), and 12-month (7.2±3.1) compared to the baseline (39.5±6.7) (p values < 0.0001). We did not observe any mesh extrusion or high-grade complications. Six (16.7%) patients had cystocele recurrence during the 12-month follow-up, and two of them needed reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our short-term follow-up showed that using an open ASC technique with PVDF mesh in treating high-grade apical or uterine prolapse is associated with a high rate of procedural success and low rates of complication.

Surgical results in POP/UI surgery after using PVDF compared to other materials. A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Synthetic materials have been used for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). During the last 25 years, these materials were composed mostly of polypropylene (PP), whereas recently the use of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is of increasing interest due to its characteristics. This study aimed to compare the results after SUI/POP surgery using PVDF versus PP materials by synthesizing the data of relevant existing literature.

STUDY DESIGN

This systematic review and meta-analysis included clinical trials, case-control studies, or cohort studies written in the English language. The search strategy included the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane, and grey literature (congresses IUGA, EUGA, AUGS, FIGO). All studies have to provide numeric data or odds ratios (OR) of developing a specific outcome in surgeries with PVDF compared with outcomes of other used materials. No restrictions of race or ethnicity were applied, nor chronological restrictions. Exclusion criteria were studies that included patients with cognitive impairment, dementia, stroke, or central nervous system trauma. All studies were screened by two reviewers, initially by title and abstract, and afterward by full text. Disagreements were resolved through mutual consent. All studies were assessed for their quality and bias risk. Data were extracted using a data extraction form formulated in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Our results were divided into studies dealing only with SUI patients, studies dealing only with POP patients, and cumulative analysis of variables expressed in both SUI and POP surgery. The primary outcomes were the rates of post-operative recurrence, mesh erosion, and postoperative pain after surgery with PVDF compared to PP. The secondary outcomes were post-operative sexual dissatisfaction, overall satisfaction rates, hematoma, urinary tract infection, de novo urge incontinence, and reoperation rate.

RESULTS

No differences in the post-operative rates of SUI/POP recurrence, mesh erosion, and pain were found after surgery with PVDF vs surgery with PP. Patients after SUI surgery with PVDF tapes had statistically significant lower rates of de-novo urgency compared to the PP group [OR = 0.38 (0.18, 0.88), p = 0.01]; patients after POP surgery with PVDF materials had statistically significant lower rates of de-novo sexual dysfunction compared to the PP group [OR = 0.12 (0.03, 0.46), p = 0.002].

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided evidence that the use of PVDF in SUI/POP surgeries could be a valid alternative to PP. However our results are limited by uncertainty due to the overall low quality of the existent data. Further research and validation would contribute to better surgical techniques.

Long-term Data on Graft-Related Complications After Sacrocolpopexy With Lightweight Compared With Heavier-Weight Mesh

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the long-term incidence and characteristics of graft-related complications, rate of reintervention for graft-related complications and prolapse, and subjective and anatomical outcomes after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with heavier-weight (more than 44 g/m2) compared with lightweight (28 g/m2) polypropylene mesh, the latter with resorbable poliglecaprone component.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center study that compared two consecutive prospective cohorts of patients who were undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for symptomatic stage 2 or greater cervical or vault prolapse, by using either heavier-weight polypropylene mesh or lightweight polypropylene mesh at a similar duration of follow-up. The primary outcome was the occurrence of graft-related complications and their nature. Secondary outcomes included reinterventions for graft-related complications, recurrent apical prolapse, a subjective outcome (PGIC [Patient Global Impression of Change] score 4 or higher), and an anatomical outcome (point C -1 cm or greater).

RESULTS

We identified consecutive patients: 101 were implanted with heavier-weight polypropylene, and 238 were implanted with lightweight polypropylene; all were audited at comparable follow-up times (heavier-weight mesh: 97 months [interquartile range 16 months]; lightweight mesh: 92.5 months [interquartile range 58 months]). Graft-related complications were more frequent in patients with heavier-weight than lightweight mesh (22.8% [23/101] vs 7.3% [13/178]; hazard ratio [HR] 3.3, 95% CI 1.6-7.1), more frequently symptomatic (heavier-weight mesh: 16.8% [17/101] vs lightweight mesh: 2.8% [5/178]; HR 6.0, 95% CI 2.5-14.3), and more frequently lead to reintervention for graft-related complications (heavier-weight mesh: 18.8% [19/101] vs lightweight mesh: 2.1% [5/238]; HR 4.6, 95% CI 1.9-11.2). The vast majority of patients improved (PGIC score 4 or higher), without difference between groups (heavier-weight mesh: 71/84 [84.9%]; lightweight mesh: 154/178 [86.5%]; HR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-1.1); neither was there a difference in anatomical failure rate (heavier-weight mesh: 1/60 [1.7%] vs lightweight mesh: 8/131 [6.1%]; HR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-1.4). Reoperations for recurrent vault prolapse were scarce (0.0% in heavier-weight mesh, vs 0.4% in lightweight mesh).

CONCLUSION

In two consecutive cohorts, the number of graft-related complications, symptomatic graft-related complications, and reinterventions for graft-related complications were higher in patients implanted with heavier-weight polypropylene than when lightweight polypropylene was used. There were no differences in subjective, objective outcomes, and reoperation rates for prolapse.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04378400.

FUNDING

To assist in this audit, the University Hospitals Leuven received support from Ethicon Endosurgery.

Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy comparing polypropylene mesh with polyvinylidene fluoride mesh for pelvic organ prolapse: Technique description and long term outcomes

AIM

Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSCP) and compare the long-term outcomes and complication rates of polypropelene (PP) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), following up within a minimum of 12 months.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study using patients who underwent LSCP for POP involving either PP or PVDF mesh between January 2011 and January 2018.

RESULTS

Our study focused on 172 women who underwent LSCP with mesh between January 2011 and January 2018. All procedures were successfully completed laparoscopically, and patients' baseline characteristics were not statistically different in the two groups. Between January 2011 and December 2014, we performed 82 cases of LSC, mainly using PP mesh. Over the last 5 years, since January 2015, we have used PVDF mesh for POP.

CONCLUSIONS

LSCP using PVDF mesh was found to provide excellent anatomical and functional outcomes after a median follow-up duration of 41 months, compared with the PP group, which had a median follow-up duration of 54 months. Mesh infection and erosion rates in the PP group were significantly higher than those in the PVDF group. Additionally, rates of vaginal pain and discomfort were significantly lower in the PVDF group when compared with the PP group.