Preparation and biocompatibility evaluation of polypropylene mesh coated with electrospinning membrane for pelvic defects repair

Composite mesh with different materials composition could compensate for the drawbacks brought by single component mesh. Coating a membrane layer on the surface of macroporous mesh is a common method for preparing composite medical mesh. Electrospinning and dipping methods were introduced to form the two kinds of membrane-coated PP meshes (electro-mesh and dip-mesh); several properties were measured based on subcutaneous implantation model in rat. The results revealed that continuous tissue ingrowth could be observed for electro-mesh only with evidences of strength increase (electro-mesh: 0 week − 13.1 ± 0.88 N, 2 week − 16.87 ± 1.39 N, 4 week − 22.04 ± 2.05 N) and thickness increase (electro-mesh: 0 week − 0.437 ± 0.023 mm, 2 week − 0.488 ± 0.025 mm, 4 week − 0.576 ± 0.028 mm). However, no tissues were observed for dip-mesh in the first 2 weeks, both on macroscopic level and microscopic level, proved by strength data (dip-mesh: 0 week − 13.36 ± 1.06 N, 2 week − 13.4 ± 1.33 N, 4 week - 18.61 ± 1.89 N) and thickness data (dip-mesh: 0 week − 0.439 ± 0.018 mm, 2 week − 0.439 ± 0.019 mm, 4 week − 0.502 ± 0.032 mm). Electro-mesh had larger surface area decrease (10.74 ± 1.22%) than that of dip-mesh (2.78 ± 0.52%). The adhesion level of electro-mesh (medium adhesion) was also higher than that of dip-mesh (mild adhesion). Even if showing differences in several properties, both meshes were similar under histological observation, with the ability to support fresh tissues ingrowth. Considering operation environment, electro-mesh seems more suitable than dip-mesh with a rapid tissue growing, medium adhesion rate for repairing pelvic floor defects.