BACKGROUND: Oxidative degradation by reactive @entity26 species (ROS) from @entity32 initiates cross-linking, depolymerization, and formation of a quasi-crystalline quality in @entity7502 (PP) meshes that cause embrittlement (J Urol 188:1052, 2012). Embrittlement leads to change in tensile strength and is associated with post-operative complications that include @entity158 , adhesion, dislodgment, and @entity1949 . METHODS: A laboratory environment was constructed to study the relationship between concentration of ROS and change in tensile strength. Samples of Ethicon Ultrapro   PP mesh were exposed to 1  mM, 0.1  M, or 1  M @entity273 solutions for 6  months and were subjected to load displacement tensile testing (LDTT) and compared to unexposed (0  M) meshes of the same brand. RESULTS: Load at failure and elongation to failure after LDTT were determined with 95  % confidence interval. For unexposed (0  M) samples, tensile strength was 28.0      2.4 lbf and elongation to failure was 2.0      0.3 in. For samples exposed to 1  mM, tensile strength was 19.2      1.1 lbf and the elongation to failure was 2.0      0.1 in. For samples exposed to 0.1  M, tensile strength was 19.3      1.6 lbf and elongation to failure was 1.9      0.1 in. For samples exposed to 1  M, tensile strength was 20.7      1.2 lbf and elongation to failure was 0.47      0.02 in. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that a 6-month exposure to a physiologic range of ROS (1  mM) decreased tensile strength of PP mesh by 31  %. 1  mM and 0.1  M samples behaved similarly demonstrating properties of a quasi-crystalline nature. 1  M samples displayed @entity1746 . Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observed fiber changes. 1  M meshes had features of brittle materials. Knowledge of changes in physical properties of PP meshes is useful for considerations for the development of a more biocompatible surgical mesh.

Effects of reactive XXXX species on the physical properties of @entity7502 surgical mesh at various concentrations: a model for inflammatory reaction as a cause for mesh embrittlement and failure.

@entity32 :: ('MESH:D007249', 'Disease') :: ['inflammation'] @entity1949 :: ('MESH:D012892', 'Disease') :: ['fragmentation'] @entity26 :: ('MESH:D010100', 'Chemical') :: ['oxygen'] @entity7502 :: ('MESH:D011126', 'Chemical') :: ['polypropylene'] @entity1746 :: ('MESH:D020335', 'Disease') :: ['qualities of extreme embrittlement'] @entity273 :: ('MESH:D006861', 'Chemical') :: ['hydrogen peroxide'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain']
@entity26 :: (MESH:D010100,Chemical) :: ['oxygen']
