Polyester Mesh Functionalization with Nitric Oxide-Releasing Silica Nanoparticles Reduces Early Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Contamination

The Effects of Pectin-Honey Hydrogel in a Contaminated Chronic Hernia Model in Rats

Incisional hernia is a frequent complication after abdominal surgery. A previous study on rats evaluated the use of a Pectin-Honey Hydrogel (PHH)-coated polypropylene (PP) mesh for the healing of acute hernias. However, there are no studies investigating the use of PHH in association with PP mesh in chronic contaminated hernia. The aims of this study are to assess the effectiveness of PHH in promoting abdominal hernia repaired with PP mesh and in counteracting infection. Twenty Sprague Dawley male rats were enrolled and a full thickness defect was made in the abdominal wall. The defect was repaired after 28 days using a PP mesh, and a culture medium (Tryptone Soy Broth, Oxoid) was spread onto the mesh to contaminate wounds in both groups. The rats were randomly assigned to a treated or untreated group. In the treated group, a PHH was applied on the mesh before skin closure. At euthanasia-14 days after surgery-macroscopical, microbiological and histopathological evaluations were performed, with a score attributed for signs of inflammation. An immunohistochemical investigation against COX-2 was also performed. Adhesions were more severe (p = 0.0014) and extended (p = 0.0021) in the untreated group. Bacteriological results were not significantly different between groups. Both groups showed moderate to severe values (score > 2) in terms of reparative and inflammatory reactions at histopathological levels. The use of PHH in association with PP mesh could reduce adhesion formation, extension and severity compared to PP mesh alone. No differences in terms of wound healing, contamination and grade of inflammation were reported between groups.

Vascular Graft Infections: An Overview of Novel Treatments Using Nanoparticles and Nanofibers

Vascular disease in elderly patients is a growing health concern, with an estimated prevalence of 15–20% in patients above 70 years old. Current treatment for vascular diseases requires the use of a vascular graft (VG) to revascularize lower or upper extremities, create dialysis access, treat aortic aneurysms, and repair dissection. However, postoperative infection is a major complication associated with the use of these VG, often necessitating several operations to achieve complete or partial graft excision, vascular coverage, and extra-anatomical revascularization. There is also a high risk of morbidity, mortality, and limb loss. Therefore, it is important to develop a method to prevent or reduce the incidence of these infections. Numerous studies have investigated the efficacy of antibiotic- and antiseptic-impregnated grafts. In comparison to these traditional methods of creating antimicrobial grafts, nanotechnology enables researchers to design more efficient VG. Nanofibers and nanoparticles have a greater surface area compared to bulk materials, allowing for more efficient encapsulation of antibiotics and better control over their temporo-spatial release. The disruptive potential of nanofibers and nanoparticles is exceptional, and they could pave the way for a new generation of prosthetic VG. This review aims to discuss how nanotechnology is shaping the future of cardiovascular-related infection management.