SURGICAL MESH: There is a lot of confusion about surgical mesh. Surgical mesh is used to provide additional support to repair weakened or damaged tissue. Most mesh is constructed from synthetic materials or animal tissue. Non-absorbable mesh will remain in the body indefinitely and provides permanent reinforcement to repair a hernia. Animal-derived mesh is made of animal tissue that has been processed and disinfected to be safe for use as an implanted device. They are absorbable. The majority of tissue used to produce these mesh implants are from a pig (porcine) or cow (bovine) source. Absorbable mesh will degrade and lose strength over time but is intended to provide new tissue growth to provide strength to the repair. The most common adverse events following hernia repair with mesh are pain, infection, hernia recurrence, adhesion, fluid build-up at the surgical site (seroma), and bowel obstruction. Complications related to hernia repair with surgical mesh that have been reported to the FDA have been associated with recalled mesh products that are no longer on the market. Dr. Edelman will select the safest mesh available that is appropriate for your medical condition.