Mesh Reinforcement
Hernia repair is one of the most common procedures in general surgery, with over 60,000-100,000 repairs performed annually in Australia. The use of mesh is now standard worldwide in the treatment of hernias.
Overwhelming evidence in the medical literature over decades demonstrates that hernia repair without mesh has a high recurrence rate, when compared to a repair reinforced with mesh. The correct mesh placed correctly provides long lasting tissue reinforcement and is designed to be incorporated into the body with minimal risk of problems such as infection, rejection or chronic pain. The benefits of using mesh greatly outweigh any risks.
New Generation Mesh
Mesh is a flat sheet prosthetic implant that the body incorporates to strengthen the repair of the weakened area of the abdominal wall. Mesh is the standard of care for hernia repairs, backed by decades of scientific evidence, however being a foreign body, conventional mesh is at risk of becoming infected. Meticulous surgical technique, patient optimisation and aggressive wound management strategies minimise this risk.
The Ballarat Hernia Clinic uses only the best mesh available and has access to revolutionary biosynthetic mesh that can resist infection and outperform previous versions in terms of strength. In some instances it may be appropriate to use completely absorbable mesh that strengthens the tissues and then the prosthesis slowly disappears over time.
Mesh Controversy
There has been controversy regarding mesh, leading to concerns about its safety. Problems involving mesh occurred in its application in the specialty of uro-gynaecology for urinary incontinence surgery in women, leading to a class action and resultant successful legal proceedings. From this, concerns regarding mesh dispersed over to hernia surgery, and this has led to some patients with hernia mesh problems receiving media exposure. As a result, the devices regulator, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reclassified mesh prostheses to a Class III device, meaning more stringent registration and post insertion surveillance data is required. We now have an ANZ Hernia Clinical Quality Registry to help monitor and further improve outcomes in hernia repair.
We would like to reassure our patients that when placed correctly, the incidence of mesh related problems is remarkably low, particularly in the hands of our highly skilled surgeons who utilise the best and safest mesh products currently available. We know that some older types of mesh did not perform as well as what we currently have, and so are no longer used. Patients are also being optimised prior to surgery to ensure risks are minimised.
Recent and continuing audit of hernia repairs performed through the Specialist Centre demonstrates that many problems of the past decades have been minimised through advanced meticulous care and technique, patient optimisation and mesh selection, antibiotics given at the commencement of surgery and special negative pressure dressings applied to higher risk wounds, meaning hospital stays have become shorter, wound complications have dramatically reduced, and for most patients post-operative pain is insignificant, and overall quality of life is improved.
There are of course risks associated with all aspects of surgery, and these risks will be different depending on a patient’s own risk factors, but all our surgeons are willing to discuss any concerns you may have before proceeding with your hernia repair.
Hernia Repair Specialists, Ballarat
Ballarat Hernia Clinic is located in the heart of Ballarat, at the Specialist Centre Ballarat, immediately opposite St John of God Hospital. Our team provides consultations, hernia surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction surgery to patients local to Ballarat and across regional Victoria.