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Elastic fibers in the anterior abdominal wall

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to substantiate the hypothesis as to whether an altered amount of elastic fibers in the linea alba aponeurosis occurs or not in anterior abdominal wall hernias (epigastric, incisional and umbilical), comparing the findings with those of a control group of cadavers without hernias.

Methods

Thirty patients (15 males and 15 females) with anterior abdominal wall hernias were evaluated for analysis of the elastin content in samples from the linea alba aponeurosis, with immunohistochemistry and orcein staining using videomorphometry.

Results

The results showed a greater amount of elastin in patients with abdominal wall hernias compared to the control group of cadavers without hernias (P < 0.05). The elastic fibers were greatly thickened, tortuous and fragmented in the patients.

Conclusion

It is essential to analyze the anterior abdominal wall concerning its anatomical condition and histological components. Altered collagen and elastic fibers play an important role in hernia formation, indicating that the main factor may be biological.

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Correspondence to A. Fachinelli.

Additional information

Study performed in the Graduate Program of Surgery and Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

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Fachinelli, A., Trindade, M.R.M. & Fachinelli, F.A. Elastic fibers in the anterior abdominal wall. Hernia 15, 409–415 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-011-0804-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-011-0804-2

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