The effects of polypropylene mesh on femoral artery and femoral vein in mesh repair

Since the first description, the use of polypropylene mesh in hernia repair has gained wide acceptance. The aim of this study was to assess whether polypropylene mesh implantation has any effects on femoral blood vessels. A 0.5 x 1.0 cm polypropylene mesh was inserted into the rat femoral artery and vein on the right side. After 14, 28 and 90 days, the rats were reoperated. The meshes were excised for histological processing. Blood flow in the dorsum of the foot skin, femoral artery and vein were measured in all groups before mesh implantation and at 14, 28, and 90 days after mesh implantation. Following placement of mesh graft on vascular structures, inflammation and fibrosis developed to a varying degree depending on the time elapsed. On the other hand, fibrosis did not change the histological structure of vessels. There was a decrease in both arterial and venous circulation due to the pressure of the graft. These data suggest that fibrosis due to mesh graft can negatively affect blood flow in vessels due to mechanical pressure.