Why surgeons use mesh
Repairing a hernia with stitches alone pulls tissue together under tension, and a meaningful number of those repairs fail. Mesh spreads the load over a wider area and lets the body’s tissue grow into it. For most adult inguinal, ventral and incisional hernias, mesh repair has a substantially lower chance of the hernia coming back.
What the risks are
- Infection of the mesh, which is uncommon but may require treatment or removal
- Chronic pain, reported by a small percentage of patients after groin hernia repair, with or without mesh
- Mesh shrinking or moving
- Adhesion to the intestine, mainly with mesh placed inside the abdomen
- Recurrence, which is still possible but less likely than without mesh
What about the lawsuits?
Most litigation has focused on specific products, several of which were recalled or withdrawn. Many other meshes have long track records. It is reasonable to ask which mesh your surgeon plans to use and why.
Talk with Dr. Arsenous about your options.
Questions to ask your surgeon
- Do you recommend mesh for my hernia? Why?
- What type of mesh, and where will it be placed?
- What is the recurrence risk with and without mesh in my case?
- What are my options if I prefer to avoid mesh?
The bottom line
For most adults, mesh repair is the standard of care and is safe. The decision should be individual. Dr. Arsenous is glad to talk through the details. Read more on hernia repair with mesh.