To investigate the effects of sutureless faden operation to eliminate suture-related perioperative risks in a rabbit model.

Twenty-eighty superior recti muscles of 14 rabbits were subjected to faden operation, at a distance of 6 mm from the insertion of the muscle. They were divided into four groups of 7 muscles each: group A, Beriplast- P ; group B, Bard® mesh (12×2 mm); group C, Surgipro® mesh (6×2 mm); group D, Surgipro® mesh (6×6 mm). Rabbits were sacrificed and the eyes were enucleated. The operative field was examined upon dissection, 4 weeks after the surgery. Histopathologic sections were examined for the degree (grade 0 to 4) of inflammation, fibrosis, atrophy and/or degeneration of muscle fiber.

Grossly, there was a mild adhesion at the myopexy site in group A, while there was greater adhesion at the myopexy site in groups B, C and D. Group B produced a pronounced adhesion, and the mesh firmly adhered to the sclera as well as to adjacent tissue. Upon histologic examination, group A showed a mild inflammatory reaction and fibrosis, whereas groups B and D showed a moderate inflammatory reaction and fibrosis. The degree of fibrosis in group D was more severe than that in group A ( p <0.008), and there was no statistical significance among the other groups ( p >0.05). There was atrophy and degeneration in the muscle fiber in all groups, with the exception of group D.

In the rabbit model, 6×6 mm sized Surgipro® mesh may be the best material in sutureless faden operation.