Your surgeon will evaluate factors including the size and location of your hernia, your overall health, and your surgical history. Discuss the pros and cons of each approach with your surgeon before making a decision. If you have a preference—or want to use Phasix™ Mesh—make sure to mention that during your consultation so it can be part of the discussion.
true
Know your hernia repair options before your appointment
There's more than one way to repair a hernia. Knowing your options before your appointment can help you feel prepared to have a conversation with your surgeon about what may be right for you.
Mesh options
If your surgeon recommends mesh, you have options
Mesh is commonly used in hernia repair to reinforce the weakened tissue and help support a strong repair. Different options are available, and the right choice depends on your individual situation.
Learn how Phasix™ works
Phasix™ is designed to provide support during the healing phase after repair and then gradually be absorbed over time, leaving only regenerated tissue. Unlike permanent synthetic mesh, Phasix™ Mesh is not designed to stay in your body forever. It offers a different approach for patients looking for an alternative to permanent mesh.
- Phasix™ Mesh is the most studied bioabsorbable mesh on the market
- Absorbs into your body over approximately 18 months
- Designed to reduce the risk of infection and inflammation
- An option chosen by surgeons for patients who prefer not to have a permanent implant
Permanent synthetic mesh
Made from non-absorbable materials (e.g., polypropylene) that remain in the body long-term. This is the most traditional approach, used for many decades, and is often the default recommendation. Widely used and well-established, with a long clinical track record.
Biologic mesh
Derived from animal tissue. Designed to be incorporated by the body. Typically used in specific complex cases where other mesh types may not be applicable.
Surgical options
Surgical approaches to hernia repair
Your surgeon will recommend an approach based on your hernia type, health history, and other factors. Here's what each means in plain language.
-
Open Surgery
One larger single incision is made near the hernia, and the surgeon repairs through this opening. When most people think of surgery, this is most likely what they picture. It has a long track record and is commonly used for first-time and more complex repairs.
Recovery may take longer than minimally invasive approaches. Your surgeon will advise on what's appropriate for your situation.
-
Laparoscopic Surgery
Small keyhole incisions are made and a tiny camera guides the repair instruments through these small incisions. Patients often experience a faster recovery and less visible scarring.
Not every hernia can be repaired laparoscopically. Your surgeon will evaluate whether this approach is right for you.
-
Robotic Surgery
The surgeon controls robotic arms from a console through small keyhole incisions — similar to laparoscopic but may offer more maneuverability.
Robotic-assisted repair may benefit complex cases. Availability depends on your surgeon and facility.
Hear first-hand from a surgeon on Phasix™
COMMON QUESTIONS
Not always. Mesh is often used to reinforce the repair and help reduce the risk of recurrence, but your surgeon will determine whether it is appropriate based on your specific anatomy, the size and type of hernia, and other clinical factors.
| Open | Laparoscopic | Robotic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisions | One larger incision | Small keyhole incisions | Small keyhole incisions |
| Recovery | Typically longer | Potentially shorter | Potentially shorter |
| Anesthesia | General | General | General |
| Complexity | Suitable for most repairs | Surgeon discretion | Typically complex cases |
| Mesh options | All mesh types, including Phasix™ | All mesh types, including Phasix™ | All mesh types, including Phasix™ |
Individual results may vary. Discuss with your surgeon which approach is appropriate for your specific situation.
Bioabsorbable mesh is made from materials that gradually break down and are absorbed by your body over time. Phasix™ is a bioabsorbable mesh — it is designed so nothing permanent is left behind. Your surgeon can help you decide if this mesh is right for you.
Every surgery and repair can come with risks, including the potential adverse (unfavorable) reactions listed at the bottom of this page. Be sure to discuss the potential risks and benefits of each option with your surgeon prior to surgery. Different risk factors, such as obesity, pregnancy, and smoking, can impact which mesh option and risks may impact you.
Every surgery and repair can come with risks, including the potential adverse (unfavorable) reactions listed at the bottom of this page. Be sure to discuss the risks of your individual repair with your surgeon prior to surgery. Different risk factors, such as obesity, pregnancy, and smoking, can impact which mesh option and risks may impact you.
The cost of hernia surgery varies based on the type of hernia, the complexity of the repair, and the facility and surgeon. Ask for a clear cost estimate during your consultation and check what your insurance plan covers.
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.