Role of Bovine Amniotic Membrane in Repair of Abdominal Muscle Defects in Dogs

Repair of abdominal muscle defects using polypropylene mesh (PP) in dogs was first described in 1958. Later, other types of meshes were developed, and new techniques were used to overcome the serious complications caused by PP. The current study aimed to experimentally evaluate the use of PP together with bovine amniotic membrane (BAM) or omentalization as an anti-adhesive barrier during surgical correction of created full thickness ventral abdominal muscle defects in dogs. Twenty-four healthy dogs were divided equally into three groups. A circular full-thickness ventral abdominal wall defect about 5 cm in diameter was created in the muscles and peritoneum. In group A, PP mesh alone was used for hernioplasty, whereas in group (B) PP was combined with BAM and in group (C) dogs were treated with PP and omentalization. All groups were grossly checked for adhesions at 14 and 28 days post-surgery. Data were statisatically analyzed by SPSS. Adhesions and inflammation were significantly lower in the BAM group when compared to the PP group. Histopathologically, strong significant positive correlations were found between the degree of adhesion and inflammation scores. The use of BAM with PP was better for the repair of herniation in dogs than the use of either PP mesh alone or PP with omentalization as it was characterized by minimal adhesions and less inflammation.