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Histopathological alterations of the vas deferens in rats exposed to polypropylene mesh
Author(s) -
Maciel Luiz Carlos,
Glina Sidney,
Palma Paulo C.R.,
Costa Nascimento F.C.,
Netto Nelson R.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2007.06782.x
Subject(s) - vas deferens , lumen (anatomy) , dissection (medical) , medicine , anatomy , male infertility , urology , infertility , surgery , biology , pregnancy , genetics
OBJECTIVE To assess the histological and physiological effects of polypropylene mesh for inguinal herniorraphy, as it can cause lesions in the vas deferens in 0.3–2.0%, leading to infertility, and induces an inflammatory process and adjacent fibrosis, strengthening the posterior inguinal wall. MATERIALS AND METHODS In all, 40 male albino rats (3 months old) had bilateral vas deferens dissection followed by mesh implantation on one side; the contralateral side was used as the control. The rats were killed 90 (group 1) and 120 (group 2) days later, and the vas deferens, epididymides and testicles assessed histopathologically. RESULTS There was a foreign‐body reaction after mesh implantation, but not in the controls. The mean lumen dilatation in regions proximal to the mesh in groups 1 and 2 was 0.468 and 0.371 mm 2 , respectively, and all the sections had spermatozoids. The mean dilatation in control groups 1 and 2 was 0.239 and 0.170 mm 2 , respectively, with spermatozoids present in 58% and 75%, respectively (significant, P < 0.05). In group 1 the wall thickness of mesh‐implanted segments reduced to 0.177 mm, and in segments proximal to the mesh to 0.099 mm; the control segment was 0.298 mm ( P < 0.05). In group 2 the mean thickness of mesh‐implanted and proximal segments was 0.134 and 0.224 mm, respectively, while in the control it was 0.284 mm (not significant). There was loss of mucosal folding in all segments proximal to the mesh but not in the control. The epididymides and testicles were unchanged. CONCLUSION Polypropylene mesh induces a foreign‐body reaction, with histological changes in the vas deferens that cause functional obstruction, with dilatation and spermatozoid repression.