Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
Summary
In light of the pause on use of mesh in urogynaecology procedures in New Zealand in 2023, and the hernia mesh report in Australia (Health Issues Centre 2019), the Ministry of Health began a review of the literature on the use of mesh in inguinal (also known as groin) hernia repair.
This showed that use of mesh in groin hernia repair was associated with reduced rates of hernia recurrence, neurovascular injury and urinary retention (with no gender difference) and reduced or similar rates of post-operative pain, operative time, hospital stay length and time to return to usual activities compared to non-mesh groin hernia repair. Non-mesh repair was associated with a lower risk of seroma formation (fluid collection). Ongoing pain affecting activities of daily living was self-reported in a proportion of patients in whom mesh was used in groin hernia repair.