Hernias are medical matters that sometimes require surgical intervention. When one occurs, fatty tissue, an organ or the intestines push through a weak spot or a hole in connective tissues nearby. This condition is named according to the location of the hernia.
One of the methods of repair is for a surgeon to close the weak spot or hole. This is sometimes done using surgical mesh to help strengthen the area. For many people, this is necessary because hernias are likely to recur. Around 90 percent of hernia surgeries involve the use of surgical mesh.
Benefits of surgical mesh
One of the biggest benefits to surgical mesh is that it can enable patients to regain their full abilities to move about. When a hernia is present, the person won’t be able to use the area in a normal fashion. Since the mesh strengthens the area so the tissues can’t pop through it, there is very little danger that the hernia will reappear during normal activity. Despite the benefits of repairs using mesh, there are also considerable dangers of using this device.
Composition of surgical mesh
There are many different types of mesh that are used in these surgical aids. The specific information about the patient’s hernia has to be considered when the surgeon is determining which is appropriate. Some are absorbable and others aren’t. There are also some that are a combination of both.
The material the mesh is made of also varies. Some are made of synthetic materials and others are from animal tissues. Some patients might have a reaction to the materials, which can be a significant problem, especially if the material is non-absorbable.
Complications of surgical mesh
The use of surgical mesh has many of the same complications of any surgery. The patient may suffer from pain and infection. The pain can usually be managed with medication. Monitoring the patient for signs of infection enables doctors to start antibiotics to treat the issue before it progresses into a serious complication.
Adhesions, which occur when scar-like tissue sticks together, can appear, too. Fluid build-up at the site of the surgery, bleeding and blockage of the intestines may occur. Some patients suffer from a perforation, which occurs when organs or tissues near the hernia site develop a hole. Mesh migration and mesh shrinkage are also listed as adverse events associated with the surgical mesh.
Patients who suffer an adverse event after the mesh surgery should receive immediate and appropriate care. If the issue was due to a surgical error or a defective product, they might opt to seek compensation for the damages.
