<P> In the long term, polypropylene meshes face degradation, due to heat effects . This increases the risk of stiffness and chronic pain . Persistent inflammation and increased cell turnover at the mesh - tissue interface raised the possibility of cancer transformation . </P> <P> Cases of obstructive azoospermia have been related with the use of polypropylene mesh, due to the obstruction of the vas deferens as a result of the fibroblastic reaction to the mesh . However, a recent study finds that this risk seems to be less than 1% and therefore, it does not need to be notified in an informed consent . </P> <P> Biomeshes are increasingly popular since their first use in 1999 and their subsequent introduction on the market in 2003 . Their use is an instance of regenerative medicine . Unlike synthetic non-absorbable meshes, they are absorbable, and can be used for repair in an infected environment, such as an incarcerated hernia . Moreover, they seem to improve comfort and presumably, they reduce the risk of inguinodynia . They have been tested after mesh - related inguinodynia . Some meshes have a price comparable to the high end of synthetic meshes, the cheapest ($500) being Surgisis - Biodesign, manufactured by Cook Group, made from the extra cellular matrix of pig small intestinal submucosa . Currently, there exists one synthetic totally absorbable mesh, Tigr Matrix, manufactured by Novus Scientific, on the US market (510 (k) Food and Drug Administration clearance) since 2010 and on the EU market since 2011 . It only has one 3 - year pre-clinical evidence on sheep . </P> <P> Though their benefit is not fully established yet, the market for biological meshes is exploding, and if the current trend is confirmed, they may replace synthetic meshes in the US by 2016 </P>

When was mesh first used for hernia repair