Answering Your Questions About Hernia Repair With Mesh

If you’ve been told you have a hernia, you may have many questions about what your treatment options are. You may also be wondering about the safety of hernia repair with mesh, which surgeons frequently use to repair these common ailments.

“Hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed by general surgeons in the United States,” says Dr. Deanna Mansker, board-certified general surgeon at Beaufort Memorial Surgical Specialists. “Most hernia repairs still involve surgical mesh, but products used today are much safer than those that generated a lot of negative press in the past.”

Read More: Surgery Coming Up?

Q: Do I Need Surgery for a Hernia?

There are many types of hernias, and most of them do not resolve on their own, leaving behind a noticeable and often uncomfortable bulge beneath the skin. Hernias can also cause symptoms such as abdominal pressure, heartburn, stomach pain, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.

“If you have a small hernia that isn’t causing symptoms, we may monitor the hernia and only take additional steps if it worsens or becomes uncomfortable,” Dr. Mansker says. “We generally opt for surgery to repair a hernia when it starts to impact your quality of life significantly.”

Hernia repair surgery can be performed through a traditional open procedure or through minimally invasive robotic surgery.

Q: What Is Involved in Mesh Hernia Repair?

“Hernias can recur, or come back, after initial treatment,” Dr. Mansker says. “In many cases, mesh is used to lower the risk of that happening by strengthening and supporting the area of the hernia. Research has shown that hernia recurrence is much less likely after mesh repairs than after hernia repair procedures that don’t involve mesh.”

There are two primary types of mesh used in hernia repair — mesh derived from animal products and mesh made of synthetic materials. Many surgical mesh products, including those made from synthetic materials, are absorbable. They strengthen the herniated area before being absorbed into the body. New tissue growth near the hernia should fortify the tissue that was repaired.

Non-absorbable surgical mesh provides permanent, long-term support to the herniated tissue. The materials commonly used in this type of surgical mesh are durable and designed to last indefinitely.

Q: Can a Mesh Hernia Repair Fail?

Complications can occur with any type of surgical procedure, including hernia repairs with mesh. However, complications are less likely with the surgical mesh products used today. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many well-publicized complications of hernia repair are related to products the FDA recalled in 2010.

If you had a hernia repair before 2010, talk with your provider about whether you should have the mesh changed for a newer product.

Complications of hernia repairs include discomfort around the hernia site, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever or other signs of infection, or a bulge under the skin. If you experience any of these symptoms, check in with your surgeon or another medical provider. Your care team will be able to carefully evaluate your symptoms, order imaging tests to check on the status of the hernia repair and determine next steps.

Need hernia repair surgery or have questions about a past hernia repair procedure? Call Beaufort Memorial Surgical Specialists at 843-524-8171.