Characterisation of human posterior rectus sheath reveals mechanical and structural anisotropy.
Collagen
Hernia
Posterior sheath
Rectus sheath
Tensile strength
Journal
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
ISSN: 1879-1271
Titre abrégé: Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon)
Pays: England
ID NLM: 8611877
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
06 2023
06 2023
Historique:
received:
04
01
2023
revised:
01
05
2023
accepted:
10
05
2023
medline:
5
6
2023
pubmed:
28
5
2023
entrez:
27
5
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Our work aims to investigate the mechanical properties of the human posterior rectus sheath in terms of its ultimate tensile stress, stiffness, thickness and anisotropy. It also aims to assess the collagen fibre organisation of the posterior rectus sheath using Second-Harmonic Generation microscopy. For mechanical analysis, twenty-five fresh-frozen samples of posterior rectus sheath were taken from six different cadaveric donors. They underwent uniaxial tensile stress testing until rupture either in the transverse (n = 15) or longitudinal (n = 10) plane. The thickness of each sample was also recorded using digital callipers. On a separate occasion, ten posterior rectus sheath samples and three anterior rectus sheath samples underwent microscopy and photography to assess collagen fibre organisation. samples had a mean ultimate tensile stress of 7.7 MPa (SD 4.9) in the transverse plane and 1.2 MPa (SD 0.8) in the longitudinal plane (P < 0.01). The same samples had a mean Youngs modulus of 11.1 MPa (SD 5.0) in the transverse plane and 1.7 MPa (SD 1.3) in the longitudinal plane (P < 0.01). The mean thickness of the posterior rectus sheath was 0.51 mm (SD 0.13). Transversely aligned collagen fibres could be identified within the posterior sheath tissue using Second-Harmonic Generation microscopy. The posterior rectus sheath displays mechanical and structural anisotropy with greater tensile stress and stiffness in the transverse plane compared to the longitudinal plane. The mean thickness of this layer is around 0.51 mm - consistent with other studies. The tissue is constructed of transversely aligned collagen fibres that are visible using Second-Harmonic Generation microscopy.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Our work aims to investigate the mechanical properties of the human posterior rectus sheath in terms of its ultimate tensile stress, stiffness, thickness and anisotropy. It also aims to assess the collagen fibre organisation of the posterior rectus sheath using Second-Harmonic Generation microscopy.
METHODS
For mechanical analysis, twenty-five fresh-frozen samples of posterior rectus sheath were taken from six different cadaveric donors. They underwent uniaxial tensile stress testing until rupture either in the transverse (n = 15) or longitudinal (n = 10) plane. The thickness of each sample was also recorded using digital callipers. On a separate occasion, ten posterior rectus sheath samples and three anterior rectus sheath samples underwent microscopy and photography to assess collagen fibre organisation.
FINDINGS
samples had a mean ultimate tensile stress of 7.7 MPa (SD 4.9) in the transverse plane and 1.2 MPa (SD 0.8) in the longitudinal plane (P < 0.01). The same samples had a mean Youngs modulus of 11.1 MPa (SD 5.0) in the transverse plane and 1.7 MPa (SD 1.3) in the longitudinal plane (P < 0.01). The mean thickness of the posterior rectus sheath was 0.51 mm (SD 0.13). Transversely aligned collagen fibres could be identified within the posterior sheath tissue using Second-Harmonic Generation microscopy.
INTERPRETATION
The posterior rectus sheath displays mechanical and structural anisotropy with greater tensile stress and stiffness in the transverse plane compared to the longitudinal plane. The mean thickness of this layer is around 0.51 mm - consistent with other studies. The tissue is constructed of transversely aligned collagen fibres that are visible using Second-Harmonic Generation microscopy.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37244136
pii: S0268-0033(23)00120-1
doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2023.105989
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Collagen
9007-34-5
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
105989Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Thomas Whitehead-Clarke reports financial support was provided by The British Hernia Society.