Surgical method and composition utilizing submucosal tissue to prevent incisional hernias

Abstract

A small intestine submucosa mesh is adapted for use in surgical abdominal closure routines. The submucosa mesh is incorporated into the normal surgical protocol for abdominal closure procedures. The submucosa mesh is applied to the abdominal incision area and maintains and enhances the stability and integrity of the abdominal wall closure, thereby preventing the onset or occurrence of incisional hernias. The submucosa mesh can also be applied to surgical closure procedures involving treatment of a hernia defect, such as an incisional hernia or other non-incisional hernia. The submucosa construct can also be adapted for use as a suturing component or bioretention suture. The submucosa construct can be adapted for use as part of a surgical strategy to facilitate wound healing, regeneration, reconstruction, and replacement of anatomical structures, such as tissues and organs.

1 . A method of treating or promoting the integrity of an incisional abdominal wall closure, said method comprising the steps of forming an incisional abdominal wall closure then contacting at least part of the abdominal wall closure or at least part of the abdominal wall proximal to said closure with a composition comprising submucosal tissue to reduce the potential for an incisional hernia.  
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the submucosal tissue includes submucosal tissue of a warm-blooded vertebrate.  
     
     
         3 . (canceled)  
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the submucosal tissue includes intestinal tissue delaminated from both the tunica muscularis and at least the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa of the intestinal tissue.  
     
     
         5 . A method of resisting the occurrence of an incisional hernia at an incisional abdominal wall closure, said method comprising contacting at least part of the incisional abdominal wall closure or at least part of the incisional abdominal wall proximal to the closure with a composition comprising submucosal tissue.  
     
     
         6 . A method of treating an incision, said method comprising suturing the incision with at least one element each overlying and/or engaging at least part of the incision, each element including a composition comprising submucosal tissue to prevent the occurrence of an incisional hernia.  
     
     
         7 . A tissue graft construct suitable for use in supporting or maintaining an abdominal closure by surgical application thereto, said construct comprising submucosal tissue that includes intestinal tissue delaminated from both the tunica muscularis and at least the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa of the intestinal tissue.  
     
     
         8 . A tissue graft construct suitable for use as a suture, said construct comprising at least one mesh of submucosal tissue adapted for suturing that includes intestinal tissue delaminated from both the tunica muscularis and at least the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa of the intestinal tissue.  
     
     
         9 . A method of promoting the maintenance of an abdominal wall closure, said method comprising applying an article comprising submucosal tissue to the abdominal wall closure and/or to the abdominal wall proximal to the closure said submucolsal tissue that includes intestinal tissue delaminated from both the tunica muscularis and at least the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa of the intestinal tissue.  
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the article defining a construct that is formed and adapted to facilitate avoidance of an incisional hernia at the abdominal wall closure.  
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the applying step includes one of overlying or engaging at least part of the abdominal wall closure with the article.  
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the abdominal wall closure surgically addresses an incision.  
     
     
         13 . An article of manufacture adapted for use as a suture, said article comprising at least one suture component comprising a composition of submucosal tissue.