The aim of this study was to establish whether new prosthetic materials with absorbable components, designed to reduce the amount of foreign material in abdominal wall repair, offer advantages over the conventional polypropylene meshes.

Seven × 5 cm defects created in the anterior abdominal wall of New Zealand white rabbits were repaired by using a nonabsorbable polypropylene prosthesis (Surgipro; Tyco, Barcelona, Spain) or 1 of 2 partially absorbable prostheses available on the market (Vypro II and Ultrapro; Johnson & Johnson, St. Stevens-Woluwe, Belgium). At 14 and 90 days after surgery, tissue/prosthesis specimens were subjected to histological studies, biomechanical strength tests, and shrinkage evaluation.

At 90 days, the absorbable filaments of Vypro II had been completely reabsorbed, whereas Ultrapro only showed signs of biodegradation in a few zones. Host tissue infiltration and collagen I deposition in the 3 reticular meshes was optimal. Macrophage counts, mesh shrinkage, and biomechanical resistance values were similar.

Partially absorbable prostheses perform as well as the standard polypropylene mesh and have the benefit that less foreign material remains in the recipient, without compromising mechanical resistance.