[Mechanical properties of biological or synthetic implants used to treat genital prolapse and stress incontinence in women : what is the ideal material?].

INTRODUCTION

Many surgical techniques proposed for genital prolapse or stress incontinence use prosthetic material to reinforce native tissues. Most of the synthetic meshes used have been designed for hernia repair.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: We study the biomechanical properties of human Alloderm or animals tissues like Pelvicol and of synthetic resorbable and permanent meshes. We report the results from the literature. We report the results of a personal study of the biomechanical properties of synthetic meshes.

RESULTS

The literature on biomechanical properties of biological or synthetic meshes and their evolution after implantation is sparse. Biogyn ITY or Prolène are the only meshes without spatial orientation. Their resistance to rupture and mechanical properties are variable and seem poor for Biogyn W8 et Mersuture.

DISCUSSION: Reviewing the literature we discuss the ideal properties for synthetic meshes used for cure of genital prolapse.