According to the Surgery Channel, more than half a million hernia repairs are completed every year in the United States. A hernia refers to the weakening of muscle tissues within the inner layers of the abdomen. The tissue relaxes into a small sac or bulge that allows part of the intestine or abdominal tissue to protrude. Surgery is the only way to correct a hernia. Mesh is a common product used to support the weakened tissue. There are many types and brands available to surgeons, depending upon the type of hernia and surgical procedure being completed.
Multilayered Mesh
For use in tension-free and laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, a surgeon may choose a multilayered mesh product. This conforms to the body and promotes flexible scar tissue, according to HerniaSolutions.com. Different manufacturers have their own versions of this product, with specific guidelines for use.
Absorbable
Absorbable hernia mesh products are lightweight and made of material that is absorbed by the surrounding tissue. It is flexible enough to allow the abdominal wall to move in a natural way after surgery. This is an important medical advance as scar tissue is often rigid, not allowing the tissue to move as freely as it normally would. Ultrapro Mesh was the first partially absorbable mesh available in the U.S. Now many brands exist.
Human Dermis
A ventral hernia repair can benefit from a mesh made of human skin. One brand is FlexHD Acellular Human Dermis by ETHICON. This product is made of donated human tissues and acts like any other type of hernia mesh. The benefits of this product include reduction in operation time, reduced costs and minimized elasticity.
