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A B D O M I N A L
S U R G E R Y
NET EFFECT Mesh can be inserted and placed by
hand, but do positioning devices save time and costs?
surgeons found that the recurrence rates for
inguinal and incisional hernias were lower
when mesh was used, and outweighed the
potential disadvantages.
For the majority of our cases, the meshes
we've been suturing, tacking or stapling in
have been of the synthetic, permanent, nonabsorbable variety. There are 3 types of synthetic mesh, each with its own characteristics
and potential risks.
• Polypropylene has traditionally been a
heavyweight mesh with small- to mediumsized pores. While the mesh's weight lends it a
high tensile strength, its density can trigger
tissue reactions, adhesions and scarring, as
well as limiting its flexibility and that of the
patient's abdomen.
• Polyester tends to be a medium-weight
mesh with large pores, which allows more
soft tissue ingrowth. As a result, the mesh
delivers more elasticity to the anatomy and a
S E P T E M B E R 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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