ABSTRACT
Hernias are known to have deleterious effects on the productive and reproductive performance of patient. Meshes are used in the repair of hernias with large ring, but they are neither readily available nor affordable. This study was therefore aimed at finding a cheaper alternative by comparing nylon and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated fibre glass nets with the standard (ethicon) mesh for experimental hernia repair in 9 Kano brown goats divided into three groups of 3 animals each. Vital and haematological parameters were assessed pre- and postsurgery. The tensile strengths, safety and efficacy of the two nets and their cost efficiency were also assessed. There was no significant (P 0.05) difference, in the vital and haematological parameters between the groups, pre- and postsurgery, except for significant (P 0.05) increase in PCV and Hb on day 8 postsurgery in the nylon group and also eosinophils and band neutrophils on day 3 postsurgery in the PVC group. There was 1.3N/mm2 (7.5%) and 0.8N/mm2 (1.6%) decrease in tensile strength of the nylon and PVC, respectively, post-sterilization. No complications noticed, except for the slight seroma observed 3 days postsurgery in an animal each, from the PVC and the ethicon groups. The histopathology result revealed numerous new blood capillaries with few fibroblasts and macrophages. The nylon and PVC nets were also found to be 48,781 and 43,478 times, respectively, cheaper than ethicon mesh. In conclusion, the nylon and the PVC coated nets can serve as a good substitute for the standard meshes for hernioplasty in goats, and can therefore, be recommended for such use in Veterinary surgery.