Biomesh

Biomesh (or biologic mesh) is a type of surgical mesh made from an organic biomaterial (such as porcine dermis, porcine small intestine submucosa, bovine dermis or pericardium, and the dermis or fascia lata of a cadaveric human). Biologic mesh is primarily indicated for several types of hernia repair, including inguinal and ventral hernias, hernia prophylaxis, and contaminated hernia repairs.^[1]^[2] However, it has also been used in pelvic floor dysfunction, parotidectomy, and reconstructive plastic surgery.^[2] The development of biologic mesh largely has derived from the need of a biocompatible material that addresses "the problems associated with a permanent synthetic mesh, including chronic inflammation, foreign body reaction, fibrosis, and mesh infection."^[1]^[3] As of 2015^[update], however, the efficacy and optimal use of biological mesh products remains in question.^[2]^[3]

Development, benefits, and drawbacks

The idea of using organic materials for surgical mesh has been around since at least the late 1950s, though researchers soon learned the materials they tested weren't biocompatible.^[1] Research into more compatible biomaterials occurred in the proceeding decades, including the search for cellular-based materials extracted from humans and animals. For example, in 1980, research presented at the first ever World Biomaterials Congress detailed the examined use of dermal collagen of sheep to construct biological mesh for reconstructive surgery.^[4] Since then, "research for developing and improvising the biological material required for the production of these meshes" has been ongoing.^[1]

Typical advantages attributed to biologic meshes include a reduced risk of infection compared to synthetic meshes, and the absorption of the mesh into the resulting scar as part of cellular ingrowth.^[2]^[5] Commonly described drawbacks include the high cost of the material and its uncertain clinical effectiveness, particularly when the high cost is considered.^[1]^[2]^[5] An August 2015 literature review published by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health addressed these drawbacks, concluding that "there remains a lack of sufficient evidence to guide clinical practice regarding the use of biological mesh products... Further rigorously designed RCTs are required to clarify comparative clinical effectiveness and safety of the many available biological mesh products for most surgical indications in which their use has been suggested."^[2]

Contamination considerations

The presence of contamination may limit the applicability of permanent synthetic mesh in some procedures such as hernia repair. Biologic mesh may be acceptable for this purpose or for placement in open wounds as a staged closure in complex abdominal wall reconstruction. There is limited data in both of these areas, with some noting a high risk of hernia recurrence and associated infection. The data is mostly limited to animal models and case series.^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9] However, the lack of suitable alternatives has made biologic mesh attractive for contaminated field hernia repair.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Chowbey, P., ed. (2012). "Chapter 6: Prosthetics and fixations devices". Endoscopic Repair of Abdominal Wall Hernias (2nd ed.). Delhi, India: Byword Books Private Limited. pp. 63–86. ISBN 9788181930880. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (11 August 2015). "Biological Mesh: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness, Cost-Effectiveness and Guidelines – An Update". PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
^ ^a ^b Carbonell-Tatay, F.; González, Á.Z. (2015). "Chapter 47: Surgical Advances in the Treatment of Abdominal Wall Hernias". In Latifi, R.; Rhee, P.; Gruessner, R.W.G. (eds.). Technological Advances in Surgery, Trauma and Critical Care. New York: Springer. pp. 573–597. ISBN 9781493926718. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
^ van Gulik, T.M.; Klopper, P.J.; van der Hooff, A.; Bantjes, A. (1980). "Processed Sheep Dermal Collagen as a Biomaterial: An Experimental Study". In World Biomaterials Congress (ed.). Final Programme, Book Of Abstracts: First World Biomaterials Congress, Baden Near Vienna, Austria, April 8-12, 1980 In Conjunction With The Twelfth International Biomaterials Symposium And The Sixth Annual Meeting Of The Society For Biomaterials. European Society for Biomaterials. p. 2.107. ISBN 9782902590025. Retrieved 16 March 2016. In our search for a biological mesh for reconstructive surgery, we investigated sheep dermal collagen.
^ ^a ^b Sturt, N.J.H.; Windsor, A.C.J.; Engledow, A.H. (2011). "Chapter 8: Modern Management of an Intestinal Fistula". In Taylor, I.; Johnson, C.D. (eds.). Recent Advances in Surgery 34. New Delhi, India: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers. pp. 109–124. ISBN 9789350253021. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
^ Saettele TM, Bachman SL, Costello CR, Grant SA, Cleveland DS, Loy TS, Kolder DG, Ramshaw BJ. Use of porcine dermal collagen as a prosthetic mesh in a contaminated field for ventral hernia repair: a case report. Hernia. 2007 Jun;11(3):279-85.
^ Candage R, Jones K, Luchette FA, Sinacore JM, Vandevender D, Reed RL 2nd. Use of human acellular dermal matrix for hernia repair: friend or foe? Surgery. 2008 Oct;144(4):703-9.
^ Rosen MJ. Biologic mesh for abdominal wall reconstruction: a critical appraisal. Am Surg. 2010 Jan;76(1):1-6.
^ Harth KC, Rosen MJ. Major complications associated with xenograft biologic mesh implantation in abdominal wall reconstruction. Surg Innov. 2009 Dec;16(4):324-9.