Surface modified antimicrobial polypropylene meshes: a futuristic repair solution for hernia

Polypropylene (PP) mesh devices have been standard and successful implants for hernioplasty and are generally used to reinforce weak muscles of operated hernia due to their excellent properties of high strength, biocompatibility and flexibility. Nevertheless, owing to their hydrophobic nature, PP mesh devices remain completely inert and make the prophylaxis of antibiotics ineffective after hernia repair. This review sheds light on the advances made in the way of surface modification aimed at developing infection-free PP mesh devices loaded with drug carriers and antibiotics. Different techniques have been employed to develop antimicrobial polypropylene mesh implants for sustained antimicrobial drug release. Surface functionalization with oxygen plasma treatment yielded excellent outcomes among various suggested surface modifications. The chitosan and β-cyclodextrin are the two most successful drug carriers functionalizing PP surfaces. The in-vivo results suggest that the surface modified antimicrobial PP meshes could be a significant value addition to future hernioplasty. .