The use of mesh in gynecologic surgery

The aim of this review was to compare properties of the most commonly used synthetic meshes and describe their use in gynecologic procedures. An Ovid search of the English literature from 1966 to the present was carried out, together with a hand search of Index Medicus from 1950 to 1965. Articles involving the use of mesh in surgical procedures or comparative studies of the different mechanical properties of mesh are included. Overviews from urogynecologic texts and surgical texts are also included. All studies in this review consisted of retrospective case series (21 suburethral sling articles, 15 sacrocolpopexy articles, and five pelvic sling articles). No randomized prospective trials were available. Outcome variables, including cure rates and mesh-related complications, are reviewed and compared. Conclusions show that long-term success of the suburethral sling with synthetic mesh ranges from 61% to 100%, and the success rate of the abdominal sacrocolpopexies using mesh ranges from 68% to 100%. Mesh-related complications rates are frequent, with up to a 35% removal rate and 10% sinus tract formation for suburethral slings and 9% erosion rate for sacrocolpopexy. The ideal synthetic mesh material for pelvic surgery, one that induces minimal foreign-body reaction with minimal risk of infection, rejection and erosion, has yet to be developed.