On an incisional hernia model, we evaluated tissue reactions to three typesof non-absorbable foreign materials, Prolene, Gore-Tex and flax, used for covering defects of the abdominalwall muscles in Wistar strain rats. The examinations were carried out in five 14-days intervals betweenthe 35th and 91st days after the intervention. Our results with Gore-Tex showed the lowest tissue response,the lowest inflammatory cellular as well as fibroplastic reaction, it also completely covers the artificiallymade wall defect and induces no considerable peritoneal adhesion. In defects filled with Prolene mesh,we also observed no considerable cellular response and scarring. However, considerable peritoneal adhesionswere found and the defect was filled to a great extent with lipidic tissue with irregularly distributedProlene fibres. The use of flax material is least suitable since it induces extensive inflammatory reactions,which occur even after a very long time after the operation. Prolene was, as a matter of fact, secondto Gore-Tex in the experimental evaluation of the biological tolerance. However, with respect to itsten times lower price, it can be recommended as a material of the first choice for covering defects ofthe abdominal wall in clinical use.

Keywords: Abdominal Muscles, Adhesions, Biocompatible Materials, Comparative Study, Flax, Hernia, Ventral, Polypropylenes, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Prosthesis Implantation, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov