The effect of human amniotic membrane as a covering layer on propylene mesh in decrease of adhesion after laparotomy in the rabbit

Each year, approximately 4 million abdominal surgeries are performed, and it is estimated that 10–20 % of these patients develop abdominal hernias at the incision point. Currently, the standard method for repair of such hernias is the use of polypropylene mesh, which has complications such as adhesions. Therefore, it is crucial and logical to search for a type of material which can reduce such complications. This study was conducted in order to determine surgical and histological outcomes of polypropylene mesh coated with human amniotic membrane (HAM) in comparison with polypropylene mesh on its own. Ten rabbits were divided into two equal groups, group I and II. A 5-cm incision was made along the abdomen of each rabbit. In group I, a 2 × 3 cm layer of polypropylene mesh was placed under the wall of the abdomen adjacent to the viscera. In group II, the procedure was identical except that the mesh was covered by a 4 × 6 cm layer of HAM too. After 3 weeks, all animals were sacrificed and tissue samples were provided from the abdominal wall and adjacent viscera to evaluate any adhesion and histological changes in each group. Microscopic evaluation was performed for all samples, and no significant statistical difference was found between groups. It seems that the use of HAM as a coating for polypropylene mesh could have a positive effect in reducing adhesions in the abdominal viscera.