What Are the Different Kinds of Hernia Mesh Material Used in Surgery?

Hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, and the meshes used in it differ in three ways: the material they are made from, how that material is constructed, and whether part of the mesh is absorbed. This article walks through the main material families in the Dolphin Mesh range. It is general information for healthcare professionals — mesh selection rests with the operating surgeon, and the Instructions for Use supplied with each product govern.

Why mesh material matters

Every repair is different. Depending on the defect, the surgical approach, the plane of placement and the patient, a surgeon may weigh a permanent knitted mesh, a composite mesh with a barrier on its visceral side, or a semi absorbable construction in which part of the implant is resorbed. The material is the starting point for each of those choices.

1. Polypropylene mesh

Polypropylene is a synthetic linear polyolefin and one of the most widely used materials in hernia mesh. Knitted from monofilament yarn, it is non-absorbable and intended to remain in place as a permanent implant unless removal is clinically indicated.

In the Dolphin range, Knit is a knitted monofilament polypropylene mesh in Ultra Soft, Soft, Macropore and Robust variants, and Knit 3D is a pre-shaped, three-dimensional polypropylene mesh with a contoured anatomical design for laparoscopic inguinal repair.

2. Polyester composite mesh

Ultralene is a dual-sided composite: a knitted polyester parietal side and a medical-grade, low-density polyethylene film on the visceral side. It is designed for open and laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, with a low profile for laparoscopic placement and micropores for seroma drainage.

3. PTFE composite mesh

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is an inert fluoropolymer used as a visceral-side barrier. Teflene fuses a knitted, macroporous polypropylene parietal side to an ePTFE barrier on the visceral side, for open and laparoscopic intraperitoneal repair, with perforations for seroma drainage.

4. Polypropylene–polyethylene composite mesh

Duolene combines a knitted polypropylene parietal side with a medical-grade polyethylene film on the visceral side. It is transparent, thin and lightweight, and is designed for open and laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

5. Silicone–polymer composite mesh

Silene pairs a polymer matrix on the parietal side with medical-grade silicone on the visceral side. It is translucent and low profile, with micropores for seroma drainage, and is designed for open and laparoscopic intraperitoneal repair.

6. Titanised polypropylene mesh

Tiolene is a lightweight monofilament polypropylene mesh whose fibres carry a titanium dioxide surface coating, giving a hydrophilic surface. It is supplied in medium-pore and large-pore variants, with orientation stripes and laser-cut edges, for open and laparoscopic repair.

7. Semi absorbable composite mesh

A semi absorbable mesh combines a permanent component with an absorbable one, so that what remains in the body changes over time. Monosolve V2 combines non-absorbable polypropylene with absorbable poliglecaprone 25; the absorbable component resorbs in 90–120 days, leaving the polypropylene in place. It is supplied as flat sheets, and as Monosolve V2 3D, a pre-shaped anatomical form for laparoscopic inguinal repair.

How the material is chosen

Selection depends on the defect, the surgical approach, the plane of placement and surgeon preference — including whether a visceral-side barrier is needed, the required pore structure, and whether a flat or anatomically pre-shaped mesh best fits the repair. Fixation is a separate decision; see Mesh fixation.

Conclusion

Polypropylene, polyester and PTFE composites, polyethylene and silicone barrier films, titanised polypropylene and semi absorbable constructions each answer a different question in hernia repair. The Dolphin Mesh range covers all of them, in flat sheets and pre-shaped 3D forms. Compare the range or look up an ordering code in the code finder.