Mesh Options

Take control of your hernia repair.

As a patient, you have multiple treatment options. Learn more about the mesh options so that you can prepare to discuss them with your healthcare provider.

Understand the hernia repair process.

A hernia will not repair itself — surgery is required to repair a hernia.

In a hernia repair surgery, a mesh implant is often used to reinforce the weakened tissue of the abdominal wall and close the opening. There are multiple mesh options that can be used in repair surgeries. There are also multiple surgical approaches that can be used while implanting a mesh.

Your health care provider will help you to decide which surgical and mesh option is right for you. Learn about the different options below.

What is surgical mesh?

Surgical mesh is a medical device that provides additional support to weakened or damaged tissue. It acts as a base for the tissue to grow into. Depending on your hernia, your doctor could suggest a variety of types of mesh.

Mesh Options for Hernia Repair

Historically, non-mesh surgical options, such as sewing the edges of existing healthy tissue together to cover the hernia, were used and may still be considered for smaller hernias.¹ Plastic, or synthetic, mesh has been used in hernia repairs for many years. However, natural, absorbable mesh options are also available. Understand your options before talking to your doctor about surgery.^2,3

Whether bioresorbable mesh, synthetic mesh, or biologic graft, be sure to discuss the different options with your doctor to determine which mesh would best fit your needs.

Bioresorbable
Synthetic
Biologic

Bioresorbable Mesh

A bioresorbable (or absorbable) mesh is made of natural biomaterials that are not considered foreign material to the body and are designed to dissolve over time. The mesh material is intended to break down and be absorbed into the body, leaving new tissue growth to protect and support the site of the repair.^3,4

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Synthetic Mesh

A synthetic mesh implant is made from plastic (e.g., polypropelene or polyester) and is a permanent implant used to repair hernias. Synthetic meshes remain in the body to help provide long term reinforcement to the repair, and are considered a more traditional approach.^3,4 Surgical mesh made of synthetic materials can be found in knitted mesh or non-knitted sheet forms.

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Biologic Graft

A biologic graft is an implant derived from animal (cow or pig) or human tissue, such as intestine or skin, that is processed and disinfected to be suitable for implantation. A biologic graft is most often used in complicated hernia repair procedures and is intended to dissolve over time to help support the repair as the body heals.^3,4

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Mesh Options

Understand what the different mesh options are for hernia repair.

Patient Questions

If you have a hernia, you most likely have a lot of questions. We answer some of the most common questions in this video.

Surgical Options

Multiple surgical approaches can be used to repair your hernia, including open surgical, laparoscopic, or robotic. Choosing the right one for you depends on your surgeon’s preference, your hernia type, and your unique situation.

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Hernias can be complex.

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Healthwise Staff. Open Inguinal Hernia Repair (Herniorrhaphy, Hernioplasty). University of Michigan Health, April 30, 2022. https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.open-inguinal-hernia-repair-herniorrhaphy-hernioplasty.hw170381
Pluta RM, Burke AE, Golub RM. Abdominal Hernia. JAMA. 2011;305(20):2130. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/900171
Mesh and No Mesh Hernia Repair. Medstar Health, May 26, 2021. https://www.medstarhealth.org/blog/hernia-mesh-and-no-mesh-repair#:~:text=Mesh-and-No-Mesh-Hernia-Repair-May-26-support-the-weakened-area-in-the-abdominal-wall
Fitzgerald, Kumar. Biologic versus Synthetic Mesh Reinforcement: What are the Pros and Cons? US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. December 27, 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35044431/

This site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Only your physician can diagnose and appropriately treat your symptoms. BD does not recommend the use of any particular physician or team of physicians. As with any surgery, hernia repair surgery carries certain risks. Talk to your doctor about possible complications of the surgery, as well as side effects. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice regarding who should be part of your hernia repair team.