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Minimally Invasive Therapies / Products / Hernia Repair / Much More Than A Mesh / Porosity

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Explore more information about influences of mesh porosity and other key parameters driving mesh performance.

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The importance of porosity and tissue ingrowth1-3

Multifilament

Microporosity†

Is the spaces between fibres of the individual strands of mesh

> 10μm for Cellular Penetration into the middle of the strands itself
Monofilament

Macroporosity†

Is the spaces between the strands of mesh – these can be seen with the naked eye

≥ 1.5mm for Limited Fibrotic Encapsulation & Good Tissue Ingrowth between the strands of mesh
 

What is the ideal Pore Shape?†

Hexagonal shapes provide the most stable structure.

The hexagonal shape limits deformation under strain in any direction.

Pore size

 

Having large pores does not require having to accept low weight (surface density).

 

Tensile strength

 

Tensile strength (minimum) and surface density (weight) are correlated.

 

 

The ideal mesh

Meshes long term tolerance depends on their physical and mechanical properties

Macroporosity should reach 1.5 mm for optimal tissue ingrowth and shrinkage minimization4

The weight, as sole parameter, does not matter

  • † Based on preclinical animal data. Results may not correlate to performance in humans.
  • 1. Gonzalez R, Fugate K, McClusky D. Relationship between tissue ingrowth and mesh contraction. World J Surg. 2005;29(8):1038– 1043.
  • 2. Mühl T, Binnebösel M, Klinge U, Goedderz T. New objective measurement to characterize the porosity of textile implants. J Biomed Mater Res B: Appl Biomater. 2008;84(1):176–183.
  • 3. Lake SP, Ray S, Zihni AM, Thompson DM Jr, Gluckstein J, Deeken CR. Pore size and pore shape – but not mesh density – alter the mechanical strength of tissue ingrowth and host tissue response to synthetic mesh materials in a porcine model of ventral hernia repair. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater.2015;42:186–197.
  • 4. Weyhe D, Cobb W, Lecuivre J, et al. Large pore size and controlled mesh elongation are relevant predictors for mesh integration quality and low shrinkage – systematic analysis of key parameters of meshes in a novel minipig hernia model. Int J Surg. 2015 Oct;22:46-53.
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