Unlike permanent synthetic mesh that remains in your body indefinitely, Phasix™ is designed to absorb over approximately 18 months and be replaced by your own regenerated tissue. While synthetic mesh is typically the standard, Phasix™ Mesh has shown comparable outcomes. Whether this is the right option for you should be discussed with your surgeon.
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The right resource for wherever you are in your hernia journey
Explore easy‑to‑read guides, treatment insights, and recovery information created to support you at any stage. These resources are here to help you feel prepared, informed, and empowered.
Understanding your hernia and hernia repair
Recently diagnosed or just starting your research? Start here.
Exploring hernia repair and your options
Considering surgery or comparing mesh types? This is where to go next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Phasix™ Mesh is a bioabsorbable surgical mesh made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), used for hernia repair. It is designed to provide structural support while gradually being absorbed by your body in approximately 18 months as your own tissue heals, so no permanent mesh implant is left behind.
A hernia occurs when an internal organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue, creating a bulge. There are multiple types of hernias that show up in different parts of the body. Common types include inguinal (groin), umbilical (belly button), incisional (previous surgical scar), hiatal (chest), and femoral (femur).
Yes, a hernia will not go away on its own; surgery is required to fix a hernia.
Not all hernias require immediate surgery, but some may worsen over time. Your doctor can advise whether and when surgery is recommended for your situation.
Hernia repairs can be performed with open, laparoscopic, or robotic surgical techniques. Mesh may or may not be used, and the type of mesh can vary (including bioabsorbable). Patients should ask their doctor to identify their options, and which one is best for them. Every hernia and every patient is different. In addition to the size, type, and complexity of the hernia, age, additional illnesses, and personal preferences can all influence what the right treatment option for someone is. See our Repair Options page for details.
Recovery varies from patient to patient and can depend multiple factors including the type of repair, your individual health, age, and more. Most patients return to light activity within 1–2 weeks and full activity within 4–6 weeks. Always follow your surgeon's guidance.
Use our Surgeon Finder tool to locate surgeons in your area who offer mesh optionality. Simply enter your ZIP code to get started.
Coverage depends on your specific insurance plan and repair. We recommend contacting your insurance provider and discussing billing questions with your surgeon's office before surgery.
Your doctor will give you a patient implant card for the Phasix™ Mesh. Please keep this card somewhere safe and easy to find. The mesh implant information may be helpful for your future medical care.
INDICATIONS: Phasix™ Mesh is used to reinforce (support) soft tissue, where weakness exists, in patients having surgery on their belly, to change the way their body looks or works, or for rebuilding their tissue (otherwise known as abdominal, plastic, and reconstructive surgery). For example, Phasix™ Mesh could be used for ventral (near your belly) hernia repair or to help support your surgical wound.
DEVICE MODELS:1190616, 1190820, 1190830, 1190845, 1191025, 1191040, 1191530, 1192030, 1192040, 1193045, 1190200, 1190300, 1190400, 1190500, 1190808, 1190816, 1191010, 1191020, 1191525, 1192020, 1192540, 1193030, 1193535, 1194040, 1194545, 1190011, 1190100, 1195050.
IMPLANT MATERIAL: Phasix™ Mesh is made of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (100%), that goes away slowly over time and is made from natural materials.
PURPOSE: Phasix™ Mesh is a sterile (germ-free) implant. It is a mesh implant used to fix soft tissue defects, like hernias or damage to the soft parts of your belly from trauma, illness, or prior surgeries, in adults.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS: The safety and usefulness of Phasix™ Mesh has not been evaluated in:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Infants or children
- Neurologic procedures or tissues (brain, spinal cord, and nerves)
- Cardiovascular tissue (heart or blood vessels)
- Breast reconstructive surgeries
The safety and effectiveness of Phasix™ Mesh in the proximity of (near) existing or excised (removed) cancer have not been established.
POTENTIAL ADVERSE REACTIONS (UNFAVORABLE):
- Adhesions: Adhesions form when internal scar tissue joins tissues together that are not usually joined. Adhesions to the bowel (the intestine) may lead to bowel obstruction (blockage). This can cause the need for multiple invasive procedures, prolonged hospitalization, long-term nursing care, intravenous nutrition, and/or staged surgery to fix the bowel.
- Allergic reaction: If you are allergic to tetracycline hydrochloride or kanamycin sulfate (antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections), please tell your doctor. An allergic reaction to the mesh may be difficult to diagnose after surgery due to distracting pain, fever, and use of sedatives and narcotics. These symptoms, if not recognized as an allergic reaction, may result in additional diagnostic and invasive procedures, which may include the need for reoperation or explanting (removing) the mesh.
- Mesh erosion: Erosion is the mesh rubbing against nearby soft tissue, and may result in the need for multiple invasive procedures, prolonged hospitalization, long-term nursing care, intravenous nutrition, and/or staged surgery to fix the bowel (or another organ). This may be followed by a hernia repair.
- Fistula formation: A fistula is an abnormal connection or passageway between an organ, vessel, or tissue. Fistula formation may result in the need for multiple invasive procedures, prolonged hospitalization, long-term nursing care, intravenous nutrition, and/or staged surgery to address the bowel (or another organ). This may be followed by a hernia repair.
- Hematoma: An accumulation of blood.
- Hemorrhage: Loss of blood.
- Surgical site infection: An infection localized at the surgical site may require oral or intravenous antibiotics and/or may result in additional diagnostic and invasive procedures, including the chance for reoperation and/or mesh removal.
- Inflammation: Swelling, redness, heat, and/or pain produced in an area of your surgery.
- Mesh extrusion: Mesh poking through the skin.
- Mesh migration: Mesh moves from where your doctor placed it during surgery.
- Pain: There is a possibility of pain which may affect quality of life and everyday functions, such as driving, walking up the stairs, and/or dressing oneself. Pain may continue and may require a second operation to remove the mesh.
- Recurrence: Return or reappearance of your hernia or soft tissue defect.
- Reoperation: If you require another operation in your belly before the Phasix™ Mesh has gone away, the mesh may need to be removed and may make that operation last longer.
- Seroma: An accumulation and pocket of clear fluid. This may result in unscheduled drainage or reoperation.
- Wound dehiscence: Your skin breaks open along the line where your belly was sewn closed after surgery. This may lead to exposure of the mesh to the open air, which may result in additional complications including an unscheduled reoperation.