We compared the tissue response to the intraperitoneal implantation of three different prostheses (Gore-Tex®, Mersilène®, Vicryl-Mersilène) used to repair abdominal wall defects in rats. Vicryl-Mersilène is a new experimental prosthesis made of Dacron (Mersilène) coated with absorbable polyglactin (Vicryl®). The least amount of adhesions to omentum and gut was found with Mersilène. Gore-Tex was responsible for the accumulation of neutrophils rather than macrophages mostly collected in close contact with Mersilène and Vicryl-Mersilène. Fibrosis, evaluated by histology and computerized morphometry, was mostly found with Vicryl-Mersilène. This should allow a better incorporation of Mersilène and a tighter anchorage to the abdominal wall, after Vicryl