Intraperitoneal adhesions are a major complication arising from abdominal repair surgeries including hernia repair procedures. To prevent intraperitoneal adhesions an anti-adhesive mesh barrier should supress protein fouling and fibrosis, have mechanical properties that mimic the abdominal wall, and degrade after tissue incorporation. Herein, we report the fabrication of a composite mesh using a macroporous monofilament polypropylene mesh and a degradable elastomer coating designed to meet the requirements of this clinical application. The degradable elastomer was synthesized using an organo-base catalyzed thiol-yne addition strategy that affords independent control of degradation rate and mechanical properties. Stoichiometric control of a succinate-based dithiol incorporation into the elastomer determines the degradation timeline <i>in vivo</i>. The elastomeric barrier was further enhanced by the covalent tethering of antifouling zwitterionic molecules to it. Mechanical testing demonstrated the elastomer-coating on the polypropylene mesh does not exhibit micro-fractures, cracks or mechanical delamination under cyclic fatigue testing of peak abdominal loads (50 N/cm). Quartz crystal microbalance measurements showed zwitterionic functionalized elastomer exhibited reduced fibrinogen adsorption by 73% <i>in vitro</i> when compared to unfunctionalized control. We evaluated the composite mesh in a rabbit abdominal hernia adhesion model over 3 months, where the zwitterionic composite mesh was successful in preventing adhesions in this robust pre-clinical model. The resulting composite mesh will reduce complications related to abdominal repair through dampened fouling, reduced inflammation, and appropriate degradation rate.

Anti-adhesive bioresorbable elastomer-coated composite hernia mesh that reduce intraperitoneal adhesions

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.