In Vitro Fascia Model For Hernia Research

• Published in: Tissue engineering. Part A Vol. 15; no. 3; p. 710
• Main Authors: Pusch, K, Spychaj, K, Wohlert, S, Emmel, J, Mertsching, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2009
• ISSN: 1937-3341; 1937-335X

Annually 200,000 inguinal hernia and 60,000 incisional hernia are diagnosed in Germany. By congenital or acquired weak points of the abdominal wall the egression of visceral organs is possible, which can successfully be treated meanwhile by different surgical operation procedures depending upon kind and extent of the hernia. To the accepted factors of risk for the hernia development belong patient-specific influences of the genetics, environment, nutrition and comorbidities. The weighting of these factors is very likely different with the emergence of inguinal and incisional hernia and is therefore the subject of the scientific discussion. For the design of an in vitro fascia model primary fibroblast-like cells from porcine fascia or human inguinal and incisional hernia are isolated. Risk markers for favouring the emergence of hernia are identified by immuno histological and molecular biological characterisation of the matrix and isolated cells. Additionally cells are cultivated in a collagen matrix, set under physiological conditions like breathing by a bioreactor system. The established system is to be used on the one hand as mechanistical study model. On the other hand as bioartificial tissue structure applications as test systems for new biological materials and medicinal products seems to be possible, which could be applied for testing new hernia therapy forms.