J Pediatr Surg
. 2023 Jan 19;S0022-3468(23)00055-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.01.036. Online ahead of print. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36797111/
Evaluation of a biodegradable polyurethane patch for repair of diaphragmatic hernia in a rat model: A pilot study
Christina M Theodorou 1, Alan Taylor 2, Su Yeon Lee 1, Lia Molina Cortez 2, Huikang Fu 2, Christopher D Pivetti 3, Chaoxing Zhang 3, Anastasiya Stasyuk 1, Dake Hao 3, Priyadarsini Kumar 3, Diana L Farmer 3, Jun Liao 2, Erin G Brown 1, Yi Hong 4, Aijun Wang 5
Affiliations expand
- PMID: 36797111
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.01.036
Abstract
Introduction: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair is an area of active research. Large defects requiring patches have a hernia recurrence rate of up to 50%. We designed a biodegradable polyurethane (PU)-based elastic patch that matches the mechanical properties of native diaphragm muscle. We compared the PU patch to a non-biodegradable Gore-Tex™ (polytetrafluoroethylene) patch.
Methods: The biodegradable polyurethane was synthesized from polycaprolactone, hexadiisocyanate and putrescine, and then processed into fibrous PU patches by electrospinning. Rats underwent 4 mm diaphragmatic hernia (DH) creation via laparotomy followed by immediate repair with Gore-Tex™ (n = 6) or PU (n = 6) patches. Six rats underwent sham laparotomy without DH creation/repair. Diaphragm function was evaluated by fluoroscopy at 1 and 4 weeks. At 4 weeks, animals underwent gross inspection for recurrence and histologic evaluation for inflammatory reaction to the patch materials.
Results: There were no hernia recurrences in either cohort. Gore-Tex™ had limited diaphragm rise compared to sham at 4 weeks (1.3 mm vs 2.9 mm, p = 0.003), but no difference was found between PU and sham (1.7 mm vs 2.9 mm, p = 0.09). There were no differences between PU and Gore-Tex™ at any time point. Both patches formed an inflammatory capsule, with similar thicknesses between cohorts on the abdominal (Gore-Tex™ 0.07 mm vs. PU 0.13 mm, p = 0.39) and thoracic (Gore-Tex™ 0.3 mm vs. PU 0.6 mm, p = 0.09) sides.
Conclusion: The biodegradable PU patch allowed for similar diaphragmatic excursion compared to control animals. There were similar inflammatory responses to both patches. Further work is needed to evaluate long-term functional outcomes and further optimize the properties of the novel PU patch in vitro and in vivo.
Level of evidence: Level II, Prospective Comparative Study.
Keywords: Bioengineering; Congenital diaphragmatic hernia; Diaphragmatic hernia repair; Patch repair.
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