A Review of Abdominal Meshes for Hernia Repair—Current Status and Emerging Solutions

Abstract

Abdominal hernias are common issues in the clinical setting, burdening millions of patients worldwide. Associated with pain, decreased quality of life, and severe potential complications, abdominal wall hernias should be treated as soon as possible. Whether an open repair or laparoscopic surgical approach is tackled, mesh reinforcement is generally required to ensure a durable hernia repair. Over the years, numerous mesh products have been made available on the market and in clinical settings, yet each of the currently used meshes presents certain limitations that reflect on treatment outcomes. Thus, mesh development is still ongoing, and emerging solutions have reached various testing stages. In this regard, this paper aims to establish an up-to-date framework on abdominal meshes, briefly overviewing currently available solutions for hernia repair and discussing in detail the most recent advances in the field. Particularly, there are presented the developments in lightweight materials, meshes with improved attachment, antimicrobial fabrics, composite and hybrid textiles, and performant mesh designs, followed by a systematic review of recently completed clinical trials.

Effect of Functionalization of Texturized Polypropylene Surface by Silanization and HBII-RGD Attachment on Response of Primary Abdominal and Vaginal Fibroblasts

“…These meshes can be constructed from a single material or as composite structures. In addition, ongoing research addresses the development of new engineered materials, such as hydrogels or electrospun fiber meshes, with the goal of improving the safety and efficacy of these repair procedures, as highlighted in recent reviews [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. The superiority of PP mesh in IH and POP repair is due to its combination of properties, including biocompatibility, strength, durability, minimal tissue reaction, ease of handling, cost effectiveness, proven efficacy, wide availability and versatility.…”