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BioSIS vs. Polypropylene Mesh: Which Heals Better?

Your patient is a 6-year-old Labrador with a recurrent perineal hernia. The first repair used polypropylene mesh — the standard choice, reasonable cost, familiar technique. Now you’re back in the same field, same defect, and the question isn’t just how to fix it again. It’s whether the material you choose this time will produce a different outcome.

This is where the biological vs. synthetic comparison stops being academic. Every surgeon who has managed a mesh-related complication — seroma, infection, fistula, chronic discomfort at the implant site — has asked whether the material itself was part of the problem. The evidence increasingly suggests that for soft tissue repair in dogs and cats, the answer is yes.

Here’s what the data shows when you put polypropylene and BioSIS ECM side by side.

How Do Polypropylene Mesh and BioSIS Scaffolds Work Differently in the Body?

Polypropylene mesh provides structural support by staying in place permanently. It doesn’t resorb, doesn’t integrate, and doesn’t regenerate — it becomes a chronic foreign body encased in fibrous tissue. The body walls it off rather than incorporating it. That fibrous capsule is how the repair holds, and it’s also the source of the downstream complications: stiffness, contraction, mesh migration, and the inflammatory cascade that never fully resolves because the trigger never leaves.

BioSIS ECM works on a different principle entirely. Porcine small intestinal submucosa is a decellularized extracellular matrix — collagen scaffold, preserved growth factors (VEGF, bFGF), glycosaminoglycans, fibronectin, laminin — that acts as a biological template for the body’s own repair process. Host fibroblasts infiltrate the scaffold, lay down organized collagen, and gradually replace the graft material with native tissue. Studies show cellular infiltration beginning within 2 weeks and tissue resembling native structure by 1 month. By the time remodeling is complete, there is no foreign body — only the patient’s own tissue where the defect used to be.

The practical consequence: polypropylene repairs end with an implant. BioSIS repairs end with tissue.

What Are the Real Complication Rates?

The complication profile of polypropylene mesh in veterinary patients is documented clearly in the literature — and it warrants attention before material selection in any case where infection risk, recurrence, or long-term tissue quality matters.

In a retrospective analysis of perineal herniorrhaphy with cone-shaped polypropylene mesh in dogs, 80.5% of cases were considered successful — but that leaves nearly 1 in 5 dogs with complications within the first 60 days: perineal swelling, persistent tenesmus, and incisional infections. The incisional infection rate was 5.6%, and the recurrence rate reached 12.5%.

More telling is a histological study of polypropylene mesh implanted in dogs via inguinotomy: 100% of animals showed chronic foreign body reaction in the surrounding tissue. The inflammatory cell volume in polypropylene mesh repairs was 32% — compared to 8% in polyester and 12% in ePTFE. That chronic inflammatory burden isn’t a complication in the traditional sense. It’s the expected tissue response to a permanent implant.

Seroma formation, which can persist for weeks to months post-operatively, is a common sequela in both synthetic and biological repairs, though its significance differs: with synthetic mesh, a seroma can become a track for contamination around an implant that can’t be removed without reoperation. With BioSIS, fluid accumulation typically resolves as the scaffold remodels and native tissue replaces it.

Fistula and mesh erosion — particularly in perineal locations with proximity to bowel — are rare but well-documented complications of permanent synthetic implants. There is no equivalent with biological scaffolds, which are fully resorbed before tissue remodeling is complete.

Why Does Scar Tissue Form With Synthetic Mesh—and Not With BioSIS?

Scar tissue is the body’s default response to an unresolvable injury signal. With polypropylene mesh, that signal doesn’t resolve — the implant is permanent, and so is the low-grade inflammatory response surrounding it. Macrophages activate, fibroblasts deposit dense fibrous tissue around the mesh, and what forms is not organized native tissue but a fibrous capsule encasing a foreign material. Over time, that capsule contracts, which is one mechanism behind the chronic discomfort and reduced tissue pliability seen in long-term synthetic mesh repairs.

BioSIS short-circuits this pathway. Because the scaffold is gradually degraded and replaced — not walled off — the macrophage response shifts from pro-inflammatory to pro-remodeling. The preserved growth factors in the ECM (VEGF and bFGF in particular) support angiogenesis and cell proliferation rather than driving a chronic foreign body reaction. A 2025 meta-analysis of SIS-ECM composition confirmed these preserved bioactive factors as central to the regenerative mechanism that distinguishes biological scaffolds from synthetic materials.

The clinical result: BioSIS repairs heal with organized, vascularized tissue. Polypropylene repairs heal with fibrous encapsulation around a permanent implant. The distinction matters most in high-mobility areas — perineal, abdominal wall, diaphragmatic — where tissue quality and pliability affect long-term function.

When Should You Choose BioSIS Over Synthetic Mesh?

The honest answer is that BioSIS is appropriate for a broader range of cases than it’s currently used in. But the clinical scenarios where it has a clear advantage over polypropylene are worth knowing specifically.

Contaminated or potentially contaminated fields. Polypropylene mesh in a contaminated wound carries substantial risk — biofilm formation on a permanent implant can require complete mesh removal, a significantly more complex second surgery. BioSIS in a contaminated field does not carry the same risk of harboring persistent infection because it is resorbed as it heals.

Pediatric and growing patients. A permanent implant placed in a young, growing patient creates a structural constraint as surrounding tissue develops. A resorbing scaffold does not — the repair integrates with native tissue that can grow and remodel normally.

Recurrent hernias after prior synthetic repair. As in the Labrador scenario above: after a failed polypropylene repair, the tissue environment is already compromised by prior foreign body reaction and fibrosis. BioSIS offers a path to organized regeneration rather than layering another permanent implant into a scarred field.

Peritoneal contact risk. Polypropylene mesh in contact with bowel carries risk of adhesion formation and erosion over time. Biological scaffolds are significantly safer in anatomic locations where intraperitoneal placement is necessary.

When tissue quality is the primary concern. For owners who want their animal’s long-term outcome to reflect organized, native tissue repair — not a permanently implanted foreign material — BioSIS delivers that outcome. That’s a conversation worth having during surgical planning, particularly for active working dogs or high-expectation clientele.

A 2024 case report documented successful use of porcine SIS to repair a congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a kitten — a structural repair in a critical anatomic location in a pediatric patient, with excellent outcome. It illustrates both the versatility of biological scaffolds and the clinical situations where the regenerative mechanism is most valuable.

The Bottom Line for Material Selection

Polypropylene mesh is not the wrong choice for every patient. It’s cost-effective, technically familiar, and appropriate where the risks of chronic foreign body reaction are acceptable. But the evidence is clear that its permanent implant nature carries a chronic inflammatory burden — 100% foreign body reaction in every patient, documented in the veterinary literature — and that complication risk is real, not theoretical.

BioSIS ECM offers a different outcome: complete resorption, organized tissue regeneration, no permanent foreign body, and a complication profile driven by patient biology rather than implant persistence. For cases involving contamination risk, recurrence, pediatric patients, or peritoneal contact, the biological scaffold isn’t just an alternative — it’s the better choice.

For more on how BioSIS ECM is used across soft tissue repair cases in dogs and cats, visit RethinkHealing.com.

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Degloving Injury Treatment in Dogs and Cats: Beyond Second-Intention Healing

A dog presents after being struck by a vehicle. The skin over the distal limb has separated completely from the underlying tissue — a circumferential degloving injury exposing tendons and fascia across several centimeters. The tissue is contaminated, the margins are irregular, and the owner is asking what comes next.

Degloving injuries are among the most surgically demanding wounds in small animal practice. The skin loss is often extensive, the contamination is significant, and the standard options — second-intention healing or autogenous grafting — each come with real limitations. Second-intention healing averages 6.7 weeks to closure with a 39.75% complication rate. Surgical grafting is effective but costly and technically demanding.

Biological scaffolds are changing what vets can offer in the space between those two options. Here’s how they work, when to reach for them, and what the evidence says about outcomes.

What Makes Degloving Injuries Surgically Challenging

The core challenge of a degloving injury isn’t just tissue loss — it’s the disruption of the blood supply that feeds skin closure. Degloving separates the skin from its vascular connections. The wound bed that remains is often ischemic, unevenly perfused, and highly susceptible to infection.

Bite wounds are the most common cause in dogs, accounting for approximately 45% of degloving cases, followed by vehicular trauma and entrapment. The distal limb — particularly the medial tarsal region — is the most frequently affected site, where skin is thin, subcutaneous tissue is minimal, and there is little redundancy for reconstruction.

Cats present differently. Their skin is more loosely attached, which means the degloving surface area tends to be larger relative to the inciting injury. Cats also tolerate prolonged bandaging less predictably than dogs, which affects how wound management protocols are designed and followed.

Immediate priorities at presentation: assess tissue viability, debride non-viable tissue, control contamination, and make a triage decision — can this wound be closed, or will it heal by second intention? That decision drives everything else.

Second-Intention Healing: When It Works and When It Doesn’t

Second-intention healing remains the default for many degloving injuries, particularly in general practice where surgical grafting expertise or owner budget make operative repair impractical. Managed correctly — moist wound environment, appropriate dressing changes, infection monitoring — many wounds do close.

But the data is sobering. Mean healing time is approximately 6.7 weeks. Complication rates following wound repair run close to 40%, with infection as the leading cause of treatment failure. In wounds involving the distal limb, where vascular supply is already compromised and the anatomy leaves little room for reconstruction, those complications can extend healing timelines significantly or lead to limb loss.

The limitations of second-intention healing are most apparent in:

  • Large-surface wounds where epithelial migration distance exceeds what the wound bed can support
  • Wounds over mobile joints where contraction creates functional restriction
  • Cases where the wound bed is biologically stalled — adequate perfusion, but poor cellular signaling
  • Patients where owner compliance with extended bandaging protocols is uncertain

When second-intention healing is failing or is unlikely to succeed, the question becomes: what else can be done short of full surgical grafting?

Comparing Repair Options: Grafts, Synthetic Mesh, and Biological Scaffolds

Veterinary surgeons managing degloving injuries have traditionally worked with three approaches beyond second-intention healing:

Autogenous skin grafts — full-thickness or mesh grafts harvested from the patient’s own skin. Effective when executed well, with good long-term outcomes. Limitations: donor site morbidity, technical complexity, cost, and the requirement that the recipient wound bed is clean and well-vascularized before grafting. Not well-suited to contaminated or actively infected wounds.

Synthetic mesh — polypropylene or similar permanent materials used to bridge tissue defects. Provide structural support but remain in the body indefinitely, creating a chronic foreign body environment. Risks include ongoing inflammation, seroma formation, mesh migration, and infection that is difficult to resolve while the material remains. Not a regenerative solution — the body walls off synthetic materials rather than replacing them.

Biological extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds — acellular tissue-derived matrices that provide a structural template for tissue ingrowth. Unlike synthetic mesh, ECM scaffolds are gradually resorbed as the body replaces them with organized, native tissue. Porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is among the most studied ECM scaffold sources, with documented preservation of growth factors including VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and FGF (fibroblast growth factor) that actively support vascular ingrowth and tissue remodeling.

The clinical distinction matters: synthetic materials occupy space while the body compensates. ECM scaffolds guide the body to regenerate. That difference is reflected in long-term tissue quality — scar formation versus organized, functional repair.

How BioSIS ECM Supports Soft Tissue Remodeling

BioSIS ECM is derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa, a biological scaffold material with a well-characterized matrix structure. When placed in a wound, it provides a collagen-rich framework that host cells can infiltrate, remodel, and replace.

The mechanism operates in three phases:

Phase 1 — Scaffold integration. Host fibroblasts and vascular progenitor cells migrate into the scaffold structure, guided by the preserved ECM architecture. Growth factors retained in the matrix — including VEGF and FGF — support angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that the healing tissue requires.

Phase 2 — Tissue remodeling. As host cells populate the scaffold, they deposit new collagen and matrix proteins aligned with the mechanical demands of the tissue. This process produces organized, load-bearing repair tissue rather than disorganized scar.

Phase 3 — Resorption. BioSIS completely resorbs as the body’s own tissue matures, leaving behind only organized, healthy tissue. There is no permanent foreign material remaining, no chronic inflammation from an implant, and no long-term infection risk from a retained scaffold.

Emerging evidence supports ECM scaffolds in veterinary wound applications. A study evaluating novel ECM wound dressings in dogs with full-thickness wounds found increased epithelialization compared to standard protocol, with complete wound healing and fur regrowth occurring in 31 to 45 days — meaningfully faster than the 6.7-week average for second-intention healing. A separate study on porcine SIS grafts in dogs demonstrated tissue ingrowth, scaffold resorption, and organized repair tissue on histological evaluation.

For degloving injuries specifically, BioSIS ECM is best positioned as a bridge solution: applied to a prepared, decontaminated wound bed where second-intention healing has stalled or where the wound surface area exceeds what bandaging alone can manage. It is not a substitute for debridement or infection control — those remain foundational. But once the wound is clean and the biological environment needs support, ECM scaffolding offers a regenerative pathway that neither bandaging nor synthetic materials provide.

Setting Expectations with Clients

Degloving injuries are distressing for owners. The wound looks severe, the treatment timeline is long, and the risk of complications is real. Clear communication at every visit is as important as the wound management itself.

When introducing a biological scaffold approach, framing it in terms owners understand helps: “We’re placing a material that your dog’s body will use as a template to grow new tissue. It’s not a patch — it becomes part of the repair and then disappears as your dog’s own tissue takes over.” That explanation addresses the most common owner concern: “Is there something foreign staying in my pet’s body?”

Clinical Bottom Line

Degloving injuries demand a structured approach: aggressive early debridement, contamination control, and a clear decision framework for wound closure. For cases where second-intention healing is inadequate and full surgical grafting isn’t practical, biological ECM scaffolds offer a clinically supported middle path — one that works with the body’s regenerative capacity rather than around it.

BioSIS ECM brings that option to veterinary practice in a ready-to-use format. It completely resorbs, it supports organized tissue remodeling, and it eliminates the long-term risks of permanent synthetic materials.

Explore how BioSIS ECM fits into your soft tissue repair protocols at RethinkHealing.com.

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BioSIS for Hernia Repair: The Biologic Alternative Veterinary Surgeons Need to Know

A 4-year-old Labrador Retriever presents for a routine wellness exam. On abdominal palpation, you notice a soft, reducible swelling in the inguinal region. The diagnosis is straightforward: inguinal hernia. The harder question is what to use for repair.

For decades, veterinary surgeons reached for polypropylene mesh as the default solution for soft tissue defects and hernia repair. It’s familiar. It’s available. But it’s also permanent — a foreign material that the body must wall off rather than remodel. In an era of regenerative medicine, that tradeoff deserves a second look.

Porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS), the biological scaffold material in Vetrix BioSIS ECM, offers a fundamentally different approach: a material that communicates with the body, supports healing, and completely resorbs — leaving behind only organized, healthy tissue.

Why Synthetic Mesh Falls Short in Veterinary Hernia Repair

Polypropylene mesh has real advantages — it’s strong, well-studied, and widely available. But its limitations are equally well-documented. As a permanent synthetic material, mesh remains in the patient indefinitely, creating a chronic foreign body environment that carries ongoing risk.

Known complications of synthetic mesh in hernia repair include:

  • Chronic inflammation and foreign body reaction
  • Seroma formation at the implant site
  • Infection risk, particularly in contaminated fields
  • Fibrotic encapsulation rather than true tissue integration
  • Migration or erosion into adjacent structures over time

In veterinary patients — particularly dogs and cats who are active, difficult to restrict post-operatively, and who may present with hernias in contaminated or compromised tissue fields — these risks are clinically meaningful. A material that the body can remodel into native tissue is not just a theoretical advantage. It’s a practical one.

How BioSIS Works: Signaling, Remodeling, and Resorption

Vetrix BioSIS ECM is derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa — an acellular extracellular matrix composed primarily of type I collagen and containing bioactive growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF).

Unlike synthetic materials, BioSIS does not simply occupy space. It communicates with the patient’s biology through a four-stage process:

Signaling: BioSIS communicates with the body, signaling marrow-derived stem cells to differentiate into site-specific tissue. Rather than triggering a foreign body response, it recruits the patient’s own regenerative machinery.

Resistance to infection: BioSIS facilitates angiogenesis and rapidly remodels into vascularized tissue, enabling the body’s natural defense mechanisms to respond to potential infection. This is a meaningful advantage in contaminated surgical fields where synthetic mesh carries elevated infection risk.

Complete remodeling: During the remodeling process, BioSIS is replaced by the body’s native tissue — completely resorbing into the body, leaving behind only organized, healthy tissue. No permanent foreign material remains.

Long-term strength: BioSIS maintains the structural support needed to replicate the patient’s natural movement and function until proper tissue has been restored. It holds sutures, supports weakened tissue, and provides the mechanical integrity the repair requires.

Clinical Evidence: BioSIS in Veterinary Hernia Repair

The clinical evidence for porcine SIS in veterinary hernia repair is growing. A 2024 case report published in PMC documented the successful use of porcine small intestinal submucosa to repair a large congenital pleuroperitoneal hernia in a kitten — a defect that would have been technically challenging with synthetic materials. At 12-week follow-up, the patient was doing well both clinically and radiographically, with the SIS demonstrating effective integration and tissue support.

Earlier research established the use of porcine SIS for perineal herniorrhaphy in dogs, with results suggesting SIS may perform favorably compared to traditional repair techniques including internal obturator muscle transposition. Across multiple soft tissue applications, SIS consistently demonstrates its key advantage: the ability to support healing and then disappear, leaving the repair site indistinguishable from surrounding native tissue.

Dr. Kevin Benjamino, DVM, DACVS at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists, summarized the clinical utility directly:

“Vetrix SIS ECM is an integral part of any veterinary surgeon’s arsenal. I have used ECM for multiple soft tissue indications — body wall reconstruction, perineal hernia repairs, and urogenital surgery — with great success.”

When to Choose BioSIS for Hernia Repair

BioSIS is appropriate across a broad range of hernia repair indications in small and large animal patients. Clinical scenarios where BioSIS offers particular advantages include:

Contaminated or potentially infected fields: When operating in a field with elevated infection risk, the angiogenic properties of BioSIS and its ability to rapidly vascularize give it a meaningful edge over synthetic mesh.

Pediatric or young patients: In growing animals, permanent synthetic materials create long-term unknowns. BioSIS resorbs completely as native tissue develops, making it well-suited for congenital defect repair in young patients.

Body wall and thoracic defects: For thoracic wall repair and body wall reconstruction where tissue quality may be compromised, BioSIS provides the structural support needed during healing without leaving permanent foreign material in the thoracic cavity.

Perineal hernia repair: A well-established application where BioSIS has been used successfully as an alternative to traditional repair techniques.

Recurrent hernias: In cases where a previous repair has failed, introducing a synthetic material into an already-compromised tissue environment carries added risk. BioSIS’s resorbable, biocompatible nature makes it a rational choice for revision cases.

Gastrointestinal soft tissue repair: BioSIS is indicated for GI soft tissue repair including body wall closure following intestinal surgery.

Product Options and Practical Considerations

Vetrix BioSIS is available in multiple configurations to match the surgical indication:

  • BioSIS Bioscaffold 4cm x 7cm (Multi-Layer) — for smaller defects
  • BioSIS Bioscaffold 7cm x 10cm (Multi-Layer) — for larger body wall and thoracic defects
  • BioSIS Bioscaffold 7cm x 10cm (Single Layer) — for applications requiring thinner profile

Each graft is individually sterilized and ready for implantation. BioSIS holds sutures reliably, can be trimmed to fit the defect, and handles similarly to other biological graft materials. The learning curve for surgeons familiar with soft tissue repair is minimal.

Post-operative management follows standard soft tissue repair protocols. Activity restriction during the initial healing phase allows the scaffold to begin remodeling before the patient returns to full function.

The Clinical Bottom Line

Hernia repair is one of the most common soft tissue procedures in veterinary surgery. The choice of repair material has real consequences — for healing, for infection risk, for the patient’s long-term quality of life, and for client satisfaction with the outcome.

BioSIS offers a biologically sound alternative to permanent synthetic mesh: a scaffold that supports the repair, recruits the body’s own regenerative capacity, and ultimately makes itself unnecessary — leaving behind only the tissue it helped build.

For veterinary surgeons looking to expand their regenerative medicine toolkit, BioSIS is a practical, evidence-supported starting point.

Ready to add BioSIS to your surgical practice?
Learn more about BioSIS ECM →

Contact us: 888-595-0170 | CustomerService@RethinkHealing.com

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How To Help Dogs With A Spinal Tumor Diagnosis

polypropylene meshAccording to the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology, spinal tumors in dogs are uncommon, but when they do happen, 90% of spinal tumors occur in large-breed dogs. Meningioma is the most common and presents most often in the cervical spinal cord. Regardless of the type of spinal tumor a veterinarian may face treating at some point in their career, it’s always best to be prepared. Recommending the best treatment plan for a dog with a spinal tumor diagnosis is critical, as spinal tumors are slow-growing and may need more time to respond to treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Tumors

Signs and symptoms of spinal tumors that dog owners may notice that require an immediate examination by a veterinarian include:

  • Changes in movement
  • Changes in coordination
  • Limb weakness
  • Neurological changes
  • Pain

These signs can include lethargy, difficulty getting up and down, dragging limbs or limping, depression, decreased appetite, or difficulty going potty. If a dog presents with any of the above symptoms, a vet may order some diagnostic tests for spinal tumors, such as:

  • CT Scan
  • MRI
  • Ultrasound
  • Chest X-ray
  • Bloodwork
  • Urinalysis
  • Biopsy

Spinal Tumor Treatment Options

A spinal tumor diagnosis can be frightening, but many treatment options are available for dogs today. The tumor type, location, and grade determine the best course of treatment, but these are the most common ways to help dogs with a spinal tumor diagnosis:

Surgery

Surgery for a spinal tumor can be complicated based on the tumor’s location. However, regarding veterinary neurologist technologies, Vetrix is an industry leader. Vetrix BioSIS for neurology is a platform technology that can be used for several surgical applications, including as a dural graft for spinal surgeries and spinal tumor surgeries. When used for these applications, the contact between BioSIS and the surrounding tissue allows cells to migrate, separate, and differentiate within the bio-scaffold. This matrix is easy to handle and simple to use but strong enough to hold sutures and support weakened tissue. If the tumor can be removed without impacting the functionality of the spinal cord, surgery is an excellent treatment option.

Chemotherapy

Chemo treats spinal tumors in dogs that have already spread or are at high risk for spread. Veterinarians make specific and informed recommendations based on the tumor type.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy may be used alone or with surgery as part of a dog’s spinal tumor treatment plan. Again, this recommendation will be specific to a dog’s tumor type.

Palliative Therapy

Palliative therapy includes things like antibiotics and painkillers that help maintain a dog’s quality of life but does nothing to slow the progression of the spinal tumor. Palliative therapy is meant to keep a dog comfortable when no other treatment options are available or have been exhausted.

Spinal Tumor Prognosis

As with any cancer, the prognosis varies by case, type, and tumor location. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances treatment will be successful. It also helps to have the best veterinary science technology and tools at your fingertips. 

For more information on any Vetrix technologies, contact us with your questions.

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Balancing Care and Cost for Gastrointestinal Surgeries

ultrasound diagnostics in caninesYour furbaby needs gastrointestinal surgery, and you have all kinds of questions. We’re here to discuss how you can prepare and what you need to know.

What Is Gastrointestinal Surgery?

Gastrointestinal surgery is an umbrella term for any surgery involving the stomach or intestines. There are numerous reasons a pet may need gastrointestinal surgery, ranging from blockages and biopsies to twisting stomachs or tumor removals. The exact nature of the gastrointestinal surgery depends on the animal’s individual needs and whether the surgery is planned or performed as an emergency.

How Much Does Gastrointestinal Surgery Cost?

Again, it varies. The cost of gastrointestinal surgery will depend on the following:

  • Type of surgery performed
  • Size of the pet
  • Severity of the condition
  • Time your pet needs to be hospitalized before and after surgery

On average, pet parents should expect a bill anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. To help you balance the care and cost of gastrointestinal surgery, ask your veterinary team for a cost estimate before the procedure. 

Balancing Care and Cost for Vets and Pet Owners

A veterinary surgeon’s primary concern when a pet needs gastrointestinal surgery isn’t money. It’s helping the patient get better and live a comfortable, happy life. Be bold and ask questions or express concerns. While we must submit payment for services rendered, an excellent veterinary office is committed to:

  • Explaining any gastrointestinal procedure your pet may need
  • The process and what to expect
  • Providing a cost estimate
  • Follow-up and at-home care

Many veterinary offices will work with you to establish a payment plan if necessary. They can also often provide information about pet insurance that will likely cover some gastrointestinal surgery costs. In addition to working out the cost (and payment plan if needed), your vet should also work with you to ensure you understand aftercare instructions while your pet is recovering.

Some things your vet may tell you to do after your pet has had gastrointestinal surgery and finished its hospital stay include:

  • Monitor your pet closely and keep them calm to prevent tearing of sutures
  • Keep your pet’s cone on so they can’t lick or chew their incision as it heals
  • Feed your pet small amounts of bland food and plenty of water as they slowly transition back to their regular diet
  • Administer pain medication as instructed

Gastrointestinal surgeries are often a lifesaving intervention. As a patient, working with a vet dedicated to balancing care and cost makes a big difference in delivering as positive and stress-free of an experience as possible. As a vet, the ability to confidently deliver as positive of an experience as possible relies on your dedication to staying up-to-date on the medicine and technology available to you to help you perform your job to the best of your ability. 

For more information on gastrointestinal problems, surgery, and solutions (for both pet parents and veterinarians) we think you’d be interested in reading more here: How Regenerative Medicine Can Help with Gastrointestinal Problems and Surgery.

*Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan, and cost assessment of your pet’s condition.

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Common Skin Graft Procedures and How Vetrix Technology Can Help

Veterinary Neurology Vetrix

When a patient has a wound that’s too big to close on its own or a wound that becomes chronic and doesn’t heal by itself, treatment with a skin graft may be beneficial in obtaining wound closure. Skin grafts help quickly and effectively restore function and provide better cosmetic results than other treatment options. Additionally, skin grafts protect from infections and parasites. The Vetrix BioSIS Technology we provide is a regenerative medicine beneficial in remodeling, regrowing, and repairing wounds encountered in the veterinary field.

Two Common Skin Graft Procedures in Veterinary Medicine

When it comes to common household pets, veterinarians are often most likely to perform one of the following types of skin grafts when necessary for wound treatment:

  • Total Skin Graft (or Full-thickness skin graft): This skin graft includes the epidermis and dermis. It involves removing a piece of skin and the fat from the underside of the skin. This grafting procedure requires the donor site to have enough surrounding loose skin so the incision can be closed.
  • Partial Thickness Skin Graft (or Split-thickness skin graft): This skin graft involves shaving a thin layer of skin, 0.2 to 0.4mm, off the donor site. The cutting plane of this graft remains above the hair follicles so that no hair will grow from this skin graft. The donor site will heal independently and doesn’t require closure, but it may be more painful than a total skin graft because the exposed nerve endings will need time to heal. It’s typically used in burn victims with limited normal skin for grafting.

Veterinarians will guide their patients on the best skin graft option for their particular wound.

Treating Skin Grafts With Regenerative Veterinary Medicine

Once it’s been determined that a pet needs a skin graft to heal a wound, consider a regenerative medicine solution as part of your treatment. Unlike synthetic materials or other biological grafts, Vetrix Technology provides a structure for healthy tissue to grow across and incorporate into the extracellular matrix, resulting in wholly remodeled, vital, and fully vascularized tissues. During the healing process, Vetrix BioSIS is replaced with the body’s native tissue, developing into a permanent repair without the long-term presence of a foreign body. After healing is complete, patients are left with healthy, natural tissue.

BioSIS is a great regenerative medicine solution for skin grafts because it facilitates angiogenesis and rapid remodeling, allowing the body’s defense mechanisms to react and respond to any potential infection. It promotes safe and sterile healing of the wound.

Download the BioSIS Informational Brochure to learn more about this technology and how it can aid in healing skin graft patients.

Get the brochure.

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Dealing with Chronic Wounds: Wound Care 101

Caring for and treating patients with chronic wounds can sometimes be frustrating and discouraging. You so desperately want to give them the best wound care possible and see them live their lives to the fullest, but nothing seems to offer a permanent solution. You may be able to improve your results with the BioSIS method.

Using Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa (SIS) for Wound Care

Researchers say that using porcine SIS to treat chronic wounds has improved healing time and permanency. Due to its makeup, an acellular, biological extracellular matrix (ECM), porcine small intestinal submucosa draws in the host’s cells to attach and multiply. This aids in quicker, more permanent healing.

Growth compounds like collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans help with the healing process. And it’s not just one cell that’s attracted to the matrix. Porcine SIS attracts numerous cell types for a healthy, diverse layer formation. Since it takes more than growth factors to aid in the healing process, it’s fortunate that SIS has been found to decrease matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) activity. These endogenous proteolytic enzyme levels usually rise with chronic wounds.

Even better, the mechanical properties of multi-layer SIS are stronger and degrade slower as opposed to single-layer SIS. Pertaining to the repair of different kinds of wound types, these two SIS products provide flexibility when choosing a biologically-active ECM.

1-Layer VS. 3-Layer SIS

When choosing between 1-layer SIS and 3-layer SIS, studies show a thicker matrix may be preferable. One study done in diabetic mice showed the 3-layer SIS didn’t require application as frequently as the 1-layer matrix. Where both SIS layers were applied to full-thickness wounds on the day of wounding and three days later, the thicker matrix showed larger sections of unincorporated layers—meaning there was still significant space in the matrix for cells to mitigate.

This is good to know for patients that may have owners who live farther away and travel a greater distance for appointments or cannot afford frequent applications.

More Reasons to Consider the SIS Method

Besides reducing MMP levels, you may also want to consider the SIS method for wound care because it contains proteins that foster cell attachment and growth factor binding sites, sequester matrix-degrading enzymes, and enhance cellular filtration into damaged tissue. In addition to these positive effects, it also supports new blood vessel growth, which is vital to wound recovery.

Overall, small intestinal submucosa has been found to not only increase healing in wounds but also the rate at which the wounds recover compared to the standard of wound care.
If you’d like to further discuss this method of wound care or have any questions, please contact us. We would be happy to speak with you! And if you’d like to read more on topics like this, visit our blog page.

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BioSIS as a Biological Scaffold

BioSIS is revolutionizing the way veterinarians are able to care for seriously wounded patients. Due to its framework and ability to attract cells, BioSIS may shorten healing time and ensure organized tissue regrowth in the damaged area. Good blood flow is key to using the BioSIS method successfully. Read on to discover how to get the best results when using this method of wound care in your patients.

Use the Horizontal Mattress Technique

Proper blood flow is essential to successfully using BioSIS as a biological scaffold. Using the horizontal mattress technique to fixate the graft encourages blood flow to the wound site, by connecting to many points of blood supply. This also enables you to slide the edges of the implant under the undermined tissue edges and allows for further connectivity to the patient’s healthy blood supply.

Throughout BioSIS insertion, you can also use “tacking” to apply independent sutures and ensure it’s secure and flush against the wound.

Perforate the BioSIS Scaffold if Necessary

To avoid inflammation, fenestration may be necessary. This usually only applies to larger wounds to keep cells and other fluids from accumulating between the BioSIS scaffold and healing flesh. It is also helpful in preventing a hematoma from forming.

One major threat to the success of this procedure is dried blood. This generates inflammation, which is crucial to limit throughout the healing process. Stoppage of blood flow can prevent cells from evenly attaching to the scaffold and deter the healing process.

Keep the Matrix in Place

Once cells begin to lay their own collagen matrix, it’s important to be extremely careful when changing bandages. As the patient’s own cells take over the BioSIS graft, it will be resorbed at different rates—not all at once. When changing bandages, it’s imperative that as much of the extracellular matrix from the implant be left intact to continue healing. Using a non-adherent bandage to dress the wound will help you to change it more easily.

Within the first 6-10 days of post-operative recovery, the wound will turn caramel-colored as the damaged tissue is replaced and repaired. Instead of thoroughly cleaning the wound and scraping off this pigment, simply irrigate with saline and apply another non-adherent bandage. This way, all of the graft is resorbed and healing is even across the entire contusion.

Allow/Encourage Wound Site Mobility

When bandaging the patient, allow for as much mobility as possible while still covering the entirety of the wound site. Mobility encourages blood flow which, as we mentioned earlier, is essential to the success of this method of healing.

Based on extensive research, we’ve found that mobility increases the rate at which the healing occurs and makes for a better off healing process overall. This is because the cells attaching themselves to the scaffold receive their direction from the surrounding matrix’s blood flow. If blood flow is weak or immobile, the cells will have no direction to follow. Just remember, form follows function.
We’d love to answer any questions you may have about this technique. Contact us to learn more or tell us how you’ve been able to help your patients using BioSIS technology. You can also visit here for more blogs on topics like this.

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The Use of BioSIS in Hernia Repair

While internal obturator muscle transposition (IOT) has, for a while now, been regarded as the primary surgical treatment for perineal hernia repair in dogs, recent studies have shown porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) may perform better.

What Is Herniorrhaphy?

Another term for hernia repair that you may have heard is herniorrhaphy. A perineal hernia occurs when the pelvic diaphragm muscles are incapable of supporting the pelvic organs because they are too weak. Causes may include chronic constipation, tenesmus, and weakening of the levator ani muscle. The condition commonly occurs in middle-aged to older, intact male dogs.

SIS vs. IOT

When using small intestinal submucosa (SIS) as a biomaterial to treat hernia repair on dog subjects, investigators used a 4-ply SIS sheet trimmed to dimensions slightly larger than the pelvic diaphragm defect, rehydrated it using sterile saline, and secured it to the muscles using sutures. SIS material promotes blood vessel and tissue ingrowth that is structurally similar to host tissues.

It meets all the recommendations of an ideal hernia repair tissue such as inexpensive, resistant to infection, no inflammatory response, and inhibits adhesion and fistula formation. It’s superior to other substrates in that it has shown the least amount of residual implant material and lower infection rates.

The SIS technique is purported by investigators to have less potential for complications and is easier to perform over the IOT technique. It also has been proved to have the same biomechanical strength and stiffness as the IOT technique.

Why Is SIS Better for Hernia Repair? 

Taken from the jejunum of pigs, porcine SIS is an acellular extracellular matrix. It is made up of type I collagen and contains vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor. This biomaterial is also known to be used as a xenograft for vascular grafts, Achilles’ tendon repair, urinary bladder augmentation, and dura mater grafts among others.

In experiments on dogs, both small intestinal submucosa and internal obturator transposition resulted in a band of fibrous connective tissue, but on IOT patients, the band was objectively wider. IOT repairs also regularly developed the following issues: multifocal and randomly scattered aggregates of lymphocytes within the fibrous bands, shrunken and eosinophilic clusters and individual myofibers, necrosis, and small foci of mineralization . SIS repairs showed no signs of aggregates of lymphocytes, necrosis, or inflammation.

The internal obturator transposition has generally been preferred over other surgical techniques for perineal hernia treatment like superficial gluteal muscle transposition, semitendinosus muscle flap, porcine dermal collagen implants, and synthetic mesh implants. However, with new research and findings, it looks like that has now changed to small intestinal submucosa.

If you’d like more information on this topic, contact us today. We’d love to hear how you may be (or already are) able to incorporate this technique into your practice to help your patients. And for more industry-leading science and medicine blogs for veterinarians, check out our main blog page.

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How BioSIS Helped Save a Boxer’s Life

Boxers hold a special place in the hearts of many dog lovers. Atlas, a rescue from Florida, is one of them. Atlas was in line for an amputation due to a large sarcoma mass tumor that had grown on his leg. Dr. Steven Whittle, who worked with the Atlanta Boxer Rescue on special cases, heard about Atlas and volunteered to help. 

Dr. Whittle could see that the Boxer’s situation wasn’t good, with Atlas facing either an amputation or euthanasia. Still, he wasn’t convinced those were the only solutions available for the friendly pup. He chose a more optimistic approach, introducing BioSIS from Vetrix to the treatment plan. 

Giving Atlas a Fighting Chance 

Dr. Whittle felt certain advanced treatments would give Atlas a better chance to live a long and happy life. Having used BioSIS successfully to help many other patients in his veterinary practice, he had the knowledge he needed to make the right decision for Atlas’s surgery. Dr. Whittle felt positive knowing BioSIS would support the tissues in Atlas’s leg once the tumor was removed, providing regeneration for healthy healing.

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What Makes BioSIS from Vetrix Different?

• Vetrix BioSIS supports tissue repair, resulting in a remodeled, functional tissue without any premature breakdown of the material, calcification, or tissue erosion that can occur by synthetic materials. 

• BioSIS acts as a scaffold where the patient’s cells migrate and integrate. Over time, cells lay down their own collagen, which matures to form strong, permanent tissue repair. 

• BioSis provides permanent healing and long-term strength, while also resisting infection through the body’s own defense mechanisms.

Surgery Using BioSIS Begins

Atlas’s surgery was one of complexity. The team worked with Dr. Whittle to remove what had become a giant tumor for the mid-size dog. With a successful separation of the mass, Dr. Whittle began his work using Vetrix BioSIS ECM Technology. Applying two high-tech skin grafts, he was hopeful the regenerative treatment would work its magic to heal Atlas’s leg with no complications.

BioSIS from Vetrix Heals Again

It was no surprise to the veterinary team to see Atlas thrive as he healed from his BioSIS surgery. Yet no one was happier than Atlas’s adopted owner, forever thankful for Dr. Whittle’s insight to use BioSIS to save his dog’s life for six more years of quality living.

Learn More About BioSIS from Vetrix

Vetrix regenerative medicine, including BioSIS, rethinks healing to deliver innovative treatments to overcome illness, surgery, wounds, and eye conditions. Learn why veterinarians around the world count on Vetrix for exceptional patient care. Contact us today.

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