Mesh In Hernia Repair Surgery: What Do You Need To Know?

A hernia occurs when a part of the internal organ or fatty tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscles or connective tissue called the fascia. Hernias can happen in any part of the body, but the most common areas include the abdomen and groin.
The condition is usually present with the appearance of a bulge, which becomes more prominent when coughing, standing, or sneezing. The individual also experiences severe pain and discomfort when bending or lifting heavy objects. They might even suffer from rapid heartbeat, fever, nausea and vomiting. Many people mistakenly believe that a hernia will go away on its own, but that’s not the case. No hernia will naturally close or fix itself. In fact, the condition takes a serious turn if left untreated.
Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik, one of the best doctors for performing hernia surgery in Kolkata, stated that surgical intervention is the only effective treatment for hernia repair and prevents its strangulation.
Hernia surgery is done in various ways with the use of mesh in many cases due to the several benefits it offers. In this blog, you will get to know about the role of mesh in hernia repair in improving the surgical outcome.

What Is A Surgical Mesh?

In hernia repair surgery, a mesh is primarily a net-like, flexible foreign device that is incorporated into the body to support the damaged tissue around the hernia. It is mainly used by surgeons to allow for better healing and reduce the risk of hernia recurrence.
A hernia mesh comes in different sizes depending on the type of hernia to be repaired and the surgical technique used by the surgeon.

Types Of Hernia Mesh

There are mainly two types of mesh that are used in most hernia surgeries.

• Synthetic mesh: They are the common type of mesh and are made up of materials like polypropylene, polyester, and polytetrafluoroethylene. They are durable, lightweight and known for their cost-effectiveness and ability to provide strength to the tissue.
• Biological mesh: These types of mesh are made up of natural materials and are recommended for patients who have a higher risk of infections and have undergone hernia surgeries before.

Why Is Mesh Used In Hernia Surgery?

According to Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik, who is highly regarded for performing hernia surgery in Kolkata, the use of mesh in hernia surgery has the following benefits:

• Reduce the risk of recurrence: In rare cases, there is a risk of recurrence after hernia surgery. The main benefit of using mesh is to prevent the return of the hernia. The mesh results in stronger repair as it acts as a support and bridge for the new tissues to grow.
• Quick recovery: Surgeons who use mesh for patients are reported to return to their daily activities quickly. This is because the use of mesh provides additional support to the weakened area, resulting in faster healing and less post-operative discomfort.
• Less scarring: Mesh when implanted through a laparoscopic procedure involves smaller incisions, which leads to less trauma to the surrounding tissue, minimal scarring and fewer complications.

Conclusion

Mesh has revolutionised hernia repair. However, it is also to be noted that hernia surgery is quite complicated. Hence, it is essential to choose an experienced hernia surgeon and discuss the potential benefits of using mesh for better outcomes after the procedure.