With more than one million hernia repairs performed each year in the U.S., a hernia is an all-too common condition for many. A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. They are most common in the abdomen, when intestines break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall.
Anything that causes an increase in abdominal pressure or a weakening of the abdominal wall could potentially cause a hernia. Examples include pregnancy, chronic coughing, excessive weight lifting, obesity, etc. Most hernias are not immediately life threatening, but they don’t go away on their own and can require surgery to prevent dangerous complications.
The only way to effectively treat a hernia is to have it surgically repaired, often by reinforcing the weakened tissue with synthetic mesh for long-term stabilization of the tissue. Like any medical device, the insertion of synthetic mesh can bring risks of complications, almost all of which require additional surgical intervention. Pain, infection, recurrence, adhesion, obstruction, and perforation are the most common complications associated with mesh.
While surgical mesh has come a long way in treating and preventing hernias, researchers and med device developers are continually seeking more advanced and reliable procedures. Advances are being made in material composition, design and implantation techniques.
The scientists at MPI Research have developed multiple animal models for the evaluation of hernia treatments, including single-stage and two-stage hernia models. Single-stage hernia models are treated surgically immediately after the defect is developed. Two-stage hernia models allow the defect to maturate prior to treatment, which is more indicative of how the hernia treatment would be applied clinically. Defects can be placed in various anatomical locations, including midline, off midline or inguinal, and studies can be customized based on the intended application of the hernia treatment (i.e., laparoscopic or open surgery). Testing endpoints include biocompatibility, absorption rates, tissue integration, adhesion formation, burst strength, migration and more.
These models are most often performed in swine, as the size and anatomy of the pigs more closely replicate the biomechanics of a human abdomen. Various breeds of minipigs are often used for longer-term studies, preferably with mature animals, as they have a reduced growth rate. To learn more about these models and other capabilities in hernia mesh treatment evaluation available at MPI Research, call (269) 668-3336 and speak to one of our experienced Study Directors.