Introduction and hypothesis: To investigate the biomechanical effects of polyglecaprone fibers in lightweight meshes implanted into the vaginal and abdominal wall of parous rabbits.
Methods: New Zealand White rabbits (n = 24) were implanted with polypropylene meshes (32 g/m(2)), with (Prolift plus M, n = 12) or without (Prolift minus M, n = 12) polyglecaprone fibers. Following implantation in the posterior vaginal and abdominal wall, local side effects were evaluated and explants underwent uniaxial tensiometry after 120 and 180 days.
Results: The vaginal extrusion rate was at least 50 %, coinciding with a minimum of 20 % of contraction. There were no measurable effects of the addition of polyglecaprone on tensiometric strength and compliance in abdominal explants.
Conclusions: The addition of polyglecaprone fibers did not compromise the biomechanical properties nor did it prevent vaginal extrusion and contraction. The latter as well as some other limitations preclude the rabbit vagina to be a suitable model for biomechanical testing.