The increased angiogenic capacity and decreased inflammatory response when a mesh is used in combination with an omental flap. A prospective experimental study

Background The use of a surgical mesh for abdominal wall reconstruction is well established and has been used for long with minor complications, whereas the omental flap has been used for decades in reconstructive surgery. Aim To demonstrate the increased angiogenic capacity and the reduced inflammatory markers of a synthetic mesh when used in combination with an omental flap. Furthermore, we compare two independent meshes when used alone or in combination with the omental flap. Materials and methods Twenty-eight rats were included in the study. To determine the effect of using an omental flap under two different meshes, the animals were separated into four groups, i.e., group A (flap + mesh 1), group B (flap + mesh 1 + silicone), group C (flap + mesh 2), and group D (flap + mesh 2 + silicone). A silicone sheet was placed as a barrier between the mesh and the flap. All groups were sacrificed 8 weeks post-operatively. Results The use of a silicone sheet barrier between any of the two synthetic meshes and the omental flap in an abdominal wall defect is accompanied by a markedly reduced angiogenesis in terms of a cluster of differentiation (CD)-34 (p < 0.001) and factor VIII (p = 0.0012) and by increased inflammatory response CD-68 (p = 0.0024) and visual scoring (p < 0.001). Conclusions Τhe increased angiogenic capacity and the reduced inflammatory markers of a synthetic surgical mesh when used in combination with an omental flap make it a useful option in the reconstruction of an abdominal wall defect on a large or contaminated wound.