Editing Mesh (section)

=== '''Descriptive classifications''' ===

** '''Weight of the material'''
*** Lightweight mesh is generally described as <40g/m<sup>2</sup> (arbitrary)
**** Can fail/fracture
*** Medium: 40-60g/m<sup>2</sup> 
*** Intermediate: 60-75g/m<sup>2</sup> 
*** Heavy: >75g/m<sup>2</sup>
**** More rigid
**** Reduced abdominal wall compliance
**** Possible chronic pain
*** Controversial whether this impacts outcomes
**** Recent RCT showed less pain and recurrence two years after TEP with heavyweight mesh
**** RCT showed better outcomes for ventral repairs with lighter meshes
**** Lightweight mesh is generally favoured since it seems to cause slightly fewer mesh-related issues
** '''Pore size'''
*** May relate to ability to clear infections - larger pores are more resistant to infection
*** Large pores allow tissue ingrowth, which is good for extra-peritoneal use but not good for intra-peritoneal
*** Inversely related to weight of mesh
** Water angle (hydrophobic or hydrophilic)
** Whether there is an anti-adhesive barrier present
** Material
*** Synthetic non-absorbable
*** Synthetic absorbable
*** Biologic (derived from biological tissue)