P137 DEGRADATION RESISTANCE OF PVDF MESH IN VIVO IN COMPARISON TO PP MESH

Abstract Aim To researched the degradation resistance of PVDF mesh by comparing its morphological and chemical condition with PP mesh. Material and Methods PVDF and PP meshes analysed in this study were received from a previous animal experiment. To expose the surface of explanted meshes, a tissue removing method with protease was used and the result of this cleaning process was tested by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The morphological condition of the mesh surface was compared using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the chemical condition concerning degradation was analysed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The surface condition of PVDF mesh after 3-, 6-, 12- and 24-month implantation was illustrated and compared with two types of PP meshes. Results XPS revealed an absence of nitrogen, confirming the successful removal of tissue residues using protease. SEM results presented no notable morphological surface change of the PVDF mesh and progressive surface cracking processes over time of both types of PP meshes. FTIR spectra of the implanted PVDF meshes had no considerable difference from the spectrum of the pristine mesh, while FTIR spectra of both types of PP meshes had extra chemical functional groups increasing with implantation time, indicating progressive degradation. Conclusions PVDF mesh does not show signs of degradation up to 24 months after implantation while PP meshes progressively degrade with increasing time under the same conditions, which appears as worsening Environmental Stress Cracks. This study highlights the morphological and chemical stability of the PVDF mesh and demonstrates that the PVDF mesh is more resistant to degradation in comparison to the PP meshes.