What happens to the Hernia Mesh inside the body over time?
Most of us have a question on what happens to the hernia mesh overtime after they have been placed inside the body to repair the hernia present. Among the many questions asked, the common question regarding the same is whether hernia mesh dissolves over time? Let us find out from this article on what happens to the hernia mesh overtime after it has been placed inside the body during a hernia repair surgery.
Some of the doubts on Hernia Mesh
The Hernia mesh reinforces the weakest point in the area where the hernia has formed. It normally remains in the body forever. Here are some of the questions asked on hernia mesh and the answers to these questions are compiled below.
- Does the hernia mesh dissolve in the body over time?
- Is the hernia mesh heavy?
- Should the patients take extra care while hernia mesh is inside the body?
- Do the hernia meshes cause any complications?
Does the hernia mesh dissolve in the body over time?
There are different types of hernia meshes available in the market. They can be either absorbable mesh or non- absorbable mesh. As the name suggests, absorbable meshes get dissolved and absorbed by the body over time. But these days, absorbable meshes are only sparingly used and are mostly used only on rare occasions which is decided by the hernia surgeon. When the meshes are used for the inguinal canal, synthetic mesh made mostly of proline is used. On the other hand, if the hernia area is in the abdomen, where the chances of hernia mesh interacting with the abdomen organs are present, specialized meshes with coatings are used. This coating prevents the hernia mesh from attaching itself to the internal organs.
Are the hernia meshes heavy?
Not at all, the hernia meshes available these days are pretty light weight. Usually, the meshes weigh only around 10 to 20 grams.
Should the patients take extra care while hernia mesh is inside the body?
Not really required in true sense. One of the complications of hernia mesh is the probability that it may slip from the intended position where the hernia happened. Though this probability is very negligible, this is still a possibility if the patient becomes very obese. Hence if there is one thing that a patient needs to watch out, it is their body weight. But again, this happens only in rarest of rare cases. It is always better to keep our body weight under check by following good lifestyle practices.
Do the hernia meshes cause any complications?
Some of the complications of hernia meshes are infection, slipping away from the intended position, irritation when they touch the internal organs, pain, etc. But these complications are pretty much negligible because the hernia meshes have been improved vastly these days due to the advancements made in modern medical science.
