['In laparoscopic incisional hernia repair, direct contact between the prosthesis and the abdominal viscera is inevitable, which may lead to an inflammatory reaction resulting in abdominal adhesion formation. This study compared five different synthetic and biologic meshes in terms of adhesion formation, shrinkage, incorporation, and histologic characteristics after a period of 30 and 90\xa0days.', 'In 85 rats, a mesh was positioned intraperitoneally in direct contact with the viscera. Five different meshes were implanted: Prolene (polypropylene), Parietex composite (collagen-coated polyester), Strattice (porcine dermis, non-cross-linked), Surgisis (porcine small intestine submucosa, non-cross-linked), and Permacol (porcine dermis, cross-linked). The meshes were tested in terms of adhesion formation, shrinkage, and incorporation after a period of 30 and 90\xa0days. Additionally, collagen formation after 90\xa0days was determined.', 'Significantly less adhesion formation was observed with Parietex composite (5\xa0%; interquartile range [IQR], 2-5\xa0%) and Strattice (5\xa0%; IQR, 4-10\xa0%) in the long term. In contrast, organs were attached to Permacol with four of seven meshes (57\xa0%), and adhesion coverage of Surgisis mesh was present in 66 % (IQR, 0-100\xa0%) of the cases. After 90\xa0days, the best incorporation was seen with the Parietex composite mesh (79\xa0%; IQR, 61-83\xa0%). After 90\xa0days, major alterations in adhesion formation were seen compared with 30\xa0days. Histologically, Strattice and Parietex composite showed a new mesothelial layer on the visceral side of the mesh. Microscopic degradation and new collagen formation were seen in the Surgisis group.'] Are biologic meshes superior to synthetic meshes in ventral hernia repair : an experimental study with long-term follow-up evaluation?