An Evidence Map of Animal Studies on Absorbable Meshes for Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Hernia Repair: Material...

ObjectiveTo systematically map the landscape of animal studies on absorbable meshes for hernia repair published from 2003 to 2025, with a focus on material types, animal models, follow-up durations, and outcome measures, and to access their implications for clinical translation.MethodsStudies published between 2003 and 2025 involving animal models of hernia repair were systematically identified and screened. Data on material classification, animal species, follow-up duration, and outcome domains were extracted and synthesized using an evidence mapping framework.ResultsA total of 165 studies covering 183 mesh types were included. Self-fabricated meshes were more commonly used than commercial products (62.3% vs 37.7%), with biologically derived materials predominating. Rats and rabbits were the primary experimental models, while follow-up durations were generally short, limiting long-term performance assessment. Although large-animal studies remained limited, their use-particularly miniature pigs and nonhuman primates-has increased in recent years due to greater physiological relevance. Histological outcomes and postoperative complications were most frequently reported, whereas long-term functional outcomes were rarely assessed. Substantial heterogeneity in scoring systems and evaluation methods was observed across studies.ConclusionPreclinical research on hernia repair materials is largely dominated by short-term, small-animal experiments using self-fabricated biologically derived meshes. Greater emphasis on large-animal models, extended follow-up, and standardized, multi-level outcome frameworks is needed to strengthen translational relevance.