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Adult groin hernias: new insight into their biomechanical characteristics
Author(s) -
PANS A.,
PIERARD G. E.,
ALBERT A.,
DESAIVE C.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1997.2050752.x
Subject(s) - groin , aponeurosis , hernia , medicine , distension , anatomy , fascia , biomechanics , surgery , connective tissue , pathology
The biomechanical properties of the transversalis fascia and rectus abdominis aponeurosis were assessed in adult groin hernias, using a computerized‐suction device (Cutometer ® ) equipped with a 2‐mm probe. Evaluations were made ex vivo on fresh samples collected from 63 patients with unilateral or bilateral hernias and 30 control subjects without hernias. Under 50 and 200 mbar suctions, there was no statistical difference between the overall mechanical properties of control and patient aponeuroses. For both 50 and 200 mbar suctions, the maximum distension (MD) and the biological elasticity (BE) of fasciae from direct hernias were significantly increased, compared with control fasciae. In the same comparison, the MD‐50 and ‐200 and the BE‐50 of patient fasciae from the non‐herniated sides were also significantly increased. It is concluded that the presently reported biomechanical alterations seem to be the cause and not the consequence of the hernias. These data suggest that a functional connective tissue pathology probably plays a role in the genesis of groin hernias.