Each year roughly 200,000 U.S. women undergo a surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse (6, 7). Biologic and synthetic meshes are widely used in prolapse repairs to improve anatomical outcomes over native tissue repairs which currently have a failure rate of over 30%. To date, however, there is little scientific data to guide surgeons in the selection of a particular product. As a result, meshes are used based on the recommendations of a local vendor and consequently, are placed in women on a trial and error basis. There is growing evidence, however, that the complications associated with prolapse meshes cause unacceptably high rates of morbidity including infection, mesh shrinkage, mesh erosion, mesh exposure, pelvic, rectal and bladder pain and dyspareunia. Such complications have become significant enough for the FDA to recently release a warning about mesh use, especially when it is placed transvaginally. In this proposal, we therefore, aim to establish an interdisciplinary team of scientists dedicated to the comprehensive testing of previously or newly marketed prolapse meshes and for the development of the next generation of graft materials based on specific scientific criteria. In the first phase of the study, we determine how biochemical and structural changes in the prolapsed vagina impact passive and active mechanical behavior so as to develop a mesh in which these deficiencies are repaired or compensated for, allowing us to restore the prolapsed vagina to the nonprolapsed condition. In the second phase, we hypothesize that the shortcoming of current prolapse meshes is that they are too stiff. While this results in a repair with increased tensile strength, it occurs at the expense of tissue function with accelerated tissue contraction, decreased elasticity and compliance, and deterioration of smooth muscle function. To test our hypothesis, we implant commonly used synthetic prolapse meshes into the vagina of nonhuman primates with prolapse using the gold standard surgical procedure (the abdominal sacrocolpopexy) and then define the cellular, biochemical and biomechanical impact on the vagina at 6 months post implantation. Eventually, we will implant meshes transvaginally to characterize the distinct host response to this surgical approach. In the third phase, we explore the development of future grafts for prolapse surgery. We hypothesize that because of its bioinductive effects, a combined biologic/synthetic mesh will be superior to a synthetic mesh alone in restoring vaginal structure and function. We propose that a key yet poorly developed component of prolapse repairs is the re-establishment of smooth muscle reactivity and therefore, test the use of a temporary biologically active scaffold in achieving this process. In this way, this grant proposal provides a mechanism to establish the first team of scientists dedicated to the comprehensive unbiased evaluation of prolapse meshes as a means of educating both current and future prolapse surgeons, and the public regarding potential problems associated with certain materials. Indeed, the development of such a group is imperative for protecting the health of women.

Public Health Relevance

Prolapse (i.e., abnormal descent) of the pelvic organs is a common costly condition that negatively impacts the lives of millions of women world-wide. Biologic and synthetic meshes are often used in the surgical repair of prolapse due to improved anatomical outcomes over native tissue repairs;but with little scientific data on which to base the selection of a particular product. Unfortunately, the complications associated with certain meshes cause unacceptably high rates of morbidity including infection, tissue contraction, vaginal discharge, and pain. In this proposal, we aim to establish a comprehensive mesh testing center in which previously or newly marketed prolapse meshes can be objectively tested and the next generation of prolapse meshes can be developed based on specific scientific criteria.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01HD061811-02S1
Application #
8119820
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHD1-DSR-L (08))
Program Officer
Meikle, Susan
Project Start
2009-08-15
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$74,568
Indirect Cost
Name
Magee-Women's Research Institute and Foundation
Department
Type
DUNS #
119132785
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Liang, Rui; Knight, Katrina; Barone, William et al. (2017) Extracellular matrix regenerative graft attenuates the negative impact of polypropylene prolapse mesh on vagina in rhesus macaque. Am J Obstet Gynecol 216:153.e1-153.e9
Easley, Deanna C; Abramowitch, Steven D; Moalli, Pamela A (2017) Female pelvic floor biomechanics: bridging the gap. Curr Opin Urol 27:262-267
Liang, Rui; Knight, Katrina; Easley, Deanna et al. (2017) Towards rebuilding vaginal support utilizing an extracellular matrix bioscaffold. Acta Biomater 57:324-333
Knight, Katrina M; Moalli, Pamela A; Nolfi, Alexis et al. (2016) Impact of parity on ewe vaginal mechanical properties relative to the nonhuman primate and rodent. Int Urogynecol J 27:1255-63
Liang, Rui; Knight, Katrina; Abramowitch, Steve et al. (2016) Exploring the basic science of prolapse meshes. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 28:413-9
Barone, William R; Moalli, Pamela A; Abramowitch, Steven D (2016) Textile properties of synthetic prolapse mesh in response to uniaxial loading. Am J Obstet Gynecol 215:326.e1-9
Nolfi, Alexis L; Brown, Bryan N; Liang, Rui et al. (2016) Host response to synthetic mesh in women with mesh complications. Am J Obstet Gynecol 215:206.e1-8
Jallah, Z; Liang, R; Feola, A et al. (2016) The impact of prolapse mesh on vaginal smooth muscle structure and function. BJOG 123:1076-85
Barone, William R; Amini, Rouzbeh; Maiti, Spandan et al. (2015) The impact of boundary conditions on surface curvature of polypropylene mesh in response to uniaxial loading. J Biomech 48:1566-74
Brown, Bryan N; Mani, Deepa; Nolfi, Alexis L et al. (2015) Characterization of the host inflammatory response following implantation of prolapse mesh in rhesus macaque. Am J Obstet Gynecol 213:668.e1-10

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