A new hernia mesh with integrated extensions increases anchoring strength and prevents mesh fixation failure.

The Deep Blue Medical Advances (DBMA; Durham, NC, USA) T-Line Hernia Mesh is intended to reinforce soft tissues where weakness exists during the repair of ventral hernias, when performed via an open onlay approach. T-Line is manufactured by the knitting and heat pressing of medical grade polypropylene monofilament yarn, with additional continuous, seamless extensions arising directly from the mesh body. After knitting, needles are fixed onto the ends of the extensions to allow them to be sewn into the abdominal fascia.

The mesh extensions are intended reduce the stresses placed on the mesh, tissue, and suture interface, as they have 15 times more surface area than traditional sutures--similar to how snowshoes prevent sinking into snow--thus reducing fixation stress by spreading the force over a greater area. T-Line mesh extensions are designed to withstand significant abdominal pressures (up to 50 N/cm). This eliminates a key point of failure for conventional mesh fixation, whichoften leads to mesh migration, contraction, and eventual failure.
“In literature, long term hernia repair failure rates are 32% using conventional mesh and 63% using suture alone. Deep Blue's products enhance hernia surgery with a potentially significant impact,” said Bill Perry, CEO of DBMA. “Furthermore, extensive lab and benchtop testing indicate that the T-Line Mesh has ~275% greater anchoring strength than standard of care in the perioperative period. This is always important, but particularly so in the period before significant tissue in-growth into the mesh has occurred.”

Ventral hernias typically occur when the inner lining of the abdominal wall bulges through or causes in tears weakened abdominal wall muscles--often from previous surgery-- and forms a balloon-like sac. This can allow a loop of intestines or other abdominal contents to push into the sac, potentially leading to serious problems that might require emergency surgery. Ventral hernias can also occur in the belly button (umbilicus) or any other area of the weakened abdominal wall.

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