RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PERSONALIZE CHOICE OF HERNIA MESHES USED FOR INGUINAL HERNIA OPERATIONS

Abstract

The abdominal hernias become more prevalent with age. The objective of this study was to investigate the choice of the proper brand of hernia mesh according to the age of the patients. Seventy-eight samples of fascia harvested from 19 fresh cadavers were subjected to uniaxial tension tests and divided into four groups according to age: Group A (up to 60 years), Group B (61–70 years), Group C (71–80 years) and Group D (81–90 years). Median stress–stretch ratio curves with respect to age and direction of loading were obtained. The elastic modulus of samples and the level of orthotropy (the ratio between tensile stress in the longitudinal and the transversal direction) were calculated at 5% strain. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed also using five standard meshes (Microval, Parietex Composite, Surgimesh, Surgipro, TecnoMesh) and five lightweight meshes (Optilene, Parietex, TiO2Mesh, Ultrapro, Vypro II). The elastic modulus and level of orthotropy at 5% strain were calculated. The results of the study showed that Parietex Composite, Microval and Vypro II are recommended for 71–80 years patients, while Parietex Light is recommended for patients up to 60 years.