Polypropylene (PP) mesh is one of the most frequent materials used in hernia repair. We have experimentally evaluated the shrinkage of PP mesh depending on the place of implantation.

In 15 New Zealand rabbits a muscular defect measuring 3 × 3 cm was created in both pararectal sides of the abdominal wall. The defect was repaired using a PP mesh measuring 5 × 3.5 cm that was placed in the right side in the sublay location and in the left side in the onlay location. Five animals were killed on the 30th, 60th, and 90th postoperative days. Macroscopic measurement and microscopic study of the prosthesis–host tissue interfaces were performed.

One rabbit was killed because of severe infection in the onlay mesh. Another 2 infections were tolerated in the onlay mesh side. All the prostheses were integrated in the host tissue at death. In the macroscopic evaluation the mesh areas were reduced by 25.92% on the 30th day, by 28.67% on the 60th day, and by 29.02% on the 90th day. The mesh shrinkage was greater in the onlay group than in the sublay group at the 3 time intervals. More inflammatory leukocyte and mononuclear responses also were seen in the onlay group.

These observations support the theory of PP mesh shrinkage as a consequence of the incorporation of the biomaterial to the scarring tissue. This shrinkage is significantly more intense if the meshes are placed in the onlay position.