Most hernias in the United States today are repaired with mesh. There are many different types of hernia mesh available to surgeons. The most common material used to make a hernia mesh patch is polypropylene. It is safe, resistant to infection and has been used for more than 50 years.
Every several years, technology improves the material characteristics in order to provide stronger, lighter products that are better tolerated by patients. For open surgery (incision right over the hernia only) we use the Ventrio™ ST patch for inguinal hernias and the Ventralex™ patch for umbilical hernias. For laparoscopic surgery we use the 3D Max patch for inguinal hernias and the Ventralight ST patch for umbilical/incisional/ventral hernias. These are made of polypropylene, and are safe and effective. We have been using these particular types of hernia mesh since 2004 and have had great success with all of them.
Mesh in general, and hernia mesh in particular, has been the subject of lawsuits recently, which has caused some patients to be apprehensive about the idea of using surgical mesh. Mesh is very safe, and often the best option for many patients. There are some patients who would benefit from suture only repair of their hernia, but we recommend a mesh repair to the majority of patients we see.
About Dr. Reinhorn & Dr. Fullington
Dr. Michael Reinhorn is a specialist in inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia. Dr. Reinhorn started his practice as a full service general surgeon in 2001. In 2012 Dr. Reinhorn started to focus on the care of hernia and pilonidal patients. In 2020, Dr. Nora Fullington was recruited from her work as a general surgeon performing hundreds of laparoscopic hernia repairs to Boston Hernia. Together with their physician assistant team, they provide a focused practice designed to provide a superior clinical experience. The team performs approximately 700 hernia surgeries every year and offers a tailored approach for each patient from anesthesia type to consideration of mesh and no mesh repairs, laparoscopic and open surgery. We have published outcomes and continue to participate in hernia and surgery societies. Our research led to a reduction in opioid prescribing after hernia surgery. Currently, Dr. Reinhorn serves as the chair of the Opioid Reduction Task Force of the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative.