INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: despite minimal fundamental works, there is an increasing use of meshes in urogynecology. The concept is mainly based on experiences with abdominal wall surgery. We aimed to compare the biomechanical properties of vaginal tissue, abdominal aponeurosis, and skin. METHODS: samples from 11 fresh women cadavers without prolapse were collected. Uniaxial tension tests were performed and stress-strain curves were obtained. RESULTS: biomechanical properties of the vagina, aponeurosis, and skin differed significantly. The aponeurosis was much more rigid and less extendible than the vagina and skin. Vaginal tissue was less rigid but more extendible than skin. There was no difference between the vagina and skin at low strains (p = 0.341), but a highly significant difference at large strains (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: skin and aponeurosis are not suited to predict vaginal tissue biomechanics. We should be cautious when transferring experiences from abdominal wall surgery to vaginal reconstructive surgery.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: despite minimal fundamental works, there is an increasing use of meshes in urogynecology. The concept is mainly based on experiences with abdominal wall surgery. We aimed to compare the biomechanical properties of vaginal tissue, abdominal aponeurosis, and skin. METHODS: samples from 11 fresh women cadavers without prolapse were collected. Uniaxial tension tests were performed and stress-strain curves were obtained. RESULTS: biomechanical properties of the vagina, aponeurosis, and skin differed significantly. The aponeurosis was much more rigid and less extendible than the vagina and skin. Vaginal tissue was less rigid but more extendible than skin. There was no difference between the vagina and skin at low strains (p = 0.341), but a highly significant difference at large strains (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: skin and aponeurosis are not suited to predict vaginal tissue biomechanics. We should be cautious when transferring experiences from abdominal wall surgery to vaginal reconstructive surgery.
Authors: Jose S Afonso; Renato M N Jorge; Pedro S Martins; Marly Da S Soldi; Oswaldo L Alves; Belmiro Patricio; Teresa Mascarenhas; Marair G F Sartori; Manoel J B C Girao Journal: Acta Bioeng Biomech Date: 2009 Impact factor: 1.073
Authors: Michel Cosson; Eric Lambaudie; Malik Boukerrou; Pierre Lobry; Gilles Crépin; Anne Ego Journal: Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol Date: 2004-02-10 Impact factor: 2.435
Authors: J S Afonso; P A L S Martins; M J B C Girao; R M Natal Jorge; A J M Ferreira; T Mascarenhas; A A Fernandes; J Bernardes; E C Baracat; G Rodrigues de Lima; B Patricio Journal: Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct Date: 2007-09-11
Authors: Daniela Ulrich; Sharon L Edwards; Vincent Letouzey; Kai Su; Jacinta F White; Anna Rosamilia; Caroline E Gargett; Jerome A Werkmeister Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-08-22 Impact factor: 3.240