The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of autologou
s rectus fascia (ARF), two groups of commercially available cadaveric fasci
a lata commonly used in pubovaginal sling surgery [freeze-dried (FD) and so
lvent-dehydrated (SD)], and commercially available cadaveric dermal grafts
(DG) evaluate differences in tissue strength and stiffness. We prospectivel
y studied the maximum load to failure (MLF) and stiffness in 20 specimens o
f ARF, 20 specimens of FD, 20 specimens of SD, and 10 specimens of DG. Auto
logous fascia was obtained from patients undergoing pubovaginal sling opera
tion utilizing rectus fascia. Cadaveric fascia was re-hydrated in saline. A
LI specimens were then tailored into 1 x 1-cm samples and mounted onto the
Instron tensiometer. Samples were loaded to failure at a 100% strain rate a
nd force-elongation curves were generated MLF was defined as the minimum fo
rce needed to tear the tissue. Stiffness was determined by the slope of the
linear portion of the force/elongation curve between 5 and 15% strain. Sta
tistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test. There is no statist
ical difference in both MLF and stiffness among ARF, SD, and DG. These data
show that MLF and tissue stiffness of SD and DG are comparable to that of
ARF. FD has a significantly lower MLF and is significantly less stiff than
ARF, SD, and DG. The SD cadaveric fascia lata allograft and the cadaveric d
ermal allograft may be suitable alternatives to ARF for pubovaginal sling s
urgery. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.