Abstract
The development of new polymeric materials –either synthetic or biologic- for the surgical repair of abdominal wall primary or incisional defects (one of the most frequent surgical procedures performed in a clinic of general surgery) dates back from the 1950s; inspiration for developing new materials came from several sources, such as the evolution of the surgical techniques, the emergence of laparoscopy and the technologic revolution of the past years. The history of the meshes began with Usher’s polypropylene mesh; curently used meshes basically contain polypropylene, polyester and ePTFE, used per se or in different combinations (composite meshes) with various additional materials (omega 3, titan, monocryl, PVDF, hyaluronate). The most important features of the meshes used in the surgical process are: the type of material used, its porosity and its resistance, elements which determine its weight and ability to integrate into the recipient body. The use of meshes allows the repair of many types of abdominal wall defects of various dimensions and the substitution of the areas with lack of substance, as the prostheses stimulate the collagen synthesis. The present article envisages the review of the meshes which have been used more often in our clinic during the past year, and also their features and indications. Keywords: substitution materials, abdominal wall defects, types of prostheses