Integrating Clinical Anatomy and Tissue Engineering for Abdominal Wall Repair in Ruminants

Abstract

Abdominal wall defects, particularly hernias, pose significant challenges in veterinary medicine due to high recurrence rates and complications associated with traditional repair methods. This study introduces the BioBridge approach, a novel tissue engineering technique utilizing bioscaffolds (BioGrafts) to facilitate abdominal wall repair in ruminants. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of BioScaffolds (BioGrafts) for repairing large abdominal wall defects in ruminants, introducing the innovative BioBridge approach. Twelve ruminants with abdominal wall defects (hernias) were treated at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex,
Veterinary College, Shivamogga. Animals were implanted with plain and chitosan-treated scaffolds (n=6 each). Complete healing was achieved by the 15th postoperative day. Ultrasonography revealed proper tissue apposition, decreased wound gap and progressive bridging of tissues with adequate muscular tissue regeneration, without complications. Results were supported by physiological, clinical-hematological analysis, and enhanced wound healing properties of ECM-CS (Bioscaffolds/BioGrafts). Ultrasonography showed gradual increases in implanted ECM size and neovascularization, indicating chitosan-treated scaffolds' potential for clinical application. These scaffolds demonstrated non-immunogenicity, sufficient mechanical strength, and improved biocompatibility without complications. The BioBridge approach, leveraging BioGrafts' non-immunogenicity, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility, demonstrates potential to revolutionize abdominal wall repair in veterinary medicine, offering enhanced wound healing and tissue regeneration.