What is Mesh?

Learn more about mesh, the material that many surgeons use to repair hernias

Tension Free Repair

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Tension-free techniques are the most common hernia repair techniques and are considered the standard of care by the American College of Surgeons. Tension-free repair techniques use a piece of mesh to bridge the hernia defect as opposed to sewing the two sides of the hernia together with stitches. The use of mesh enables shorter recovery times and a quicker return to normal functioning. In certain cases, a surgeon may elect to use tissue grafts rather than synthetic mesh. Tissue that is derived from a human is called a tissue allograft. Tissue derived from an animal is called a xenograft.


Surgeons are likely to recommend tension-free repair, so it is a good idea to understand the different tension-free techniques listed below.

Flat Mesh Repair

Flat mesh is a patch made out of flat plastic material, like polypropylene. During repair surgery, the surgeon will make an incision over the hernia and will stitch flat mesh to the tissue surrounding the hernia.

Advantages:

  • Depending on the kind of repair, recurrences occur in less than 3% of flat mesh repair patients 1
  • Quick recovery
  • Less discomfort following procedure
  • Can be done under local anesthesia in some cases


Disadvantages:

  • If the hernia is large, more stitches may be required to fasten the mesh, increasing the risk of nerve damage, which could result in pain
  • Procedure can take between 40 and 60 minutes


Two revolutionary flat mesh devices are ULTRAPRO* Partially Absorbable Lightweight and PROCEED* Surgical Mesh.

Open Mesh Device Repair

Mesh devices can also be made out of plastic material, like polypropylene. Additionally, some of these devices are layered with other material that is absorbed into the body over time, following surgery. This tension free repair technique allows for intra-abdominal placement of the mesh.

PROCEED™ Ventral Patch is designed to repair umbilical hernias.

Three-dimensional Mesh Repair

Three-dimensional mesh devices have revolutionized the repair of hernias by building upon the advantages of the earlier tension-free techniques and making them even more effective.

The PROLENE* polypropylene Hernia System, ULTRAPRO* Hernia System, and the ULTRAPRO* Plug are revolutionary three-dimensional mesh repair devices.

Today's mesh products are state-of-the-art in their ability to be strong yet leave less foreign material in your body. To learn more about mesh, refer to Mesh & Hernia Repair.