Hernia Repair Using Mesh
Abdominal hernias, which occur when part of an organ or abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, often require surgical repair to avoid potentially life-threatening complications. During hernia repair, surgical mesh is frequently used.
“Some of the most common questions patients ask me is whether I will be using mesh and why do I use mesh,” says Dr. Jeffrey Bell, a board-certified surgeon at Washington Regional General Surgery Clinic. “We don’t always use mesh products in hernia repairs, but we very frequently do.”
Classified as a medical device, mesh helps provide additional support to weakened tissue surrounding the hernia as it heals after surgery. “If we just suture the tissue back together, we are basically sewing damaged tissue where the hernia formed in the first place,” Bell says. “You need something to strengthen that, and that’s why we use mesh products.”
As with any surgical procedure, there is potential for adverse events. “While there are risks associated with mesh, not using mesh can be a much bigger risk,” Bell says. “What we try to do is balance those risks against each other. In most cases, the risk-benefit favors using some type of mesh product during hernia repair.”
Plus, he says, surgical mesh that is used today has an excellent safety record. “Most of the modern mesh products that we use are very, very lightweight and very, very resistant to infection,” Bell says.
For more information about Dr. Bell or hernia repair, visit Washington Regional General Surgery Clinic.