OBJECTIVETo study the polypropylene mesh acted for the moulding and support.

METHODSFour mini-pigs were used in this experimental research. A polypropylene mesh was implanted under the skin on one side of each pig. An expander was thereafter placed in the deep layer to imitate the action of gravity to the skin and mesh. The specimens were collected in two different times for the biomechanics and histology examinations.

RESULTSThe biomechanical data were shown lower and the histological properties were found changeable in the expanded skin without the mesh support, compared with the normal skin. However, the changes did not occur in the expanded skin with the mesh support. Furthermore, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the polypropylene mesh were significant less than the human skin.

CONCLUSIONThe Polypropylene mesh could prevent the extended skin effectively and has moulding and support effects.