Influence of titanium coating on the biocompatibility of a heavyweight polypropylene mesh - An animal experimental model

Introduction: In light of the fact that, to date, no information is available about titanium relative to its application in prosthetic material employed for hernial repair, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the fundamental possibilities of titanium-coated polypropylene meshes. Materials and Methods: In experiments with animals, two groups, each containing 11 pigs, received either a heavyweight polypropylene mesh ( Atrium(R)) or an identical but titanium-coated mesh (titanium-coated Atrium) implanted into the left groin using the totally endoscopic extraperitoneal patchplasty technique. Results: A significant difference in the shrinkage behavior between conventional Atrium and titanium-coated Atrium was found (14.9 vs. 8.8%, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the partial volume of the inflammatory infiltrate also proved to be smaller with the titanium-coated mesh (14.9 vs. 12.4%). In addition, Ki-67 expression was lower in the group implanted with titanium-coated mesh (21.0 vs. 15.0%). No difference was observed with regard to the apoptosis index (7.6 vs. 6.5). Conclusions: Heavyweight titanium-coated polypropylene meshes induce a less pronounced foreign body reaction in comparison with identical meshes with no titanium coating, which, since the amount of material implanted is identical, must be attributed solely to the titanium coating. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.