Aim: The purpose of the present research is to investigate what Hernia Meshes (`HM`) are used within Varna region during hernia surgery and to make estimation of the factors that influences the choice of HM.
Materials and methods: During the survey has been collected information on the number and the type of hernias that have underwent surgery in Multiprofile Hospital For Active Treatment - Dobrich, Multiprofile Hospital For Active Treatment - Silistra and Multiprofile Hospital For Active Treatment `St. Marina` - Varna within the period 2012 - June, 2014, as well as on the mesh amount being used in hospitals for active treatment in Sofia, Dobrich, Silistra, Razgrad and Varna. The said survey has involved 55 surgeons from main clinical centers. On the basis of the questions in the survey card there have been clarified with what HM brands the surgeon operate with, which factors influence on the decision to be put a mesh. There has been also investigated which are the three most important technical characteristics of the HM pursuant to the specialists involved in the survey. The statistical differences are explored with the `Statistica` program.
Results: The executed research shows that it was used over 20 types HM with manufacturers Microval, (Microval France), Serag Weissner, Ethicon, Sentinel Italy, Covidien, Bbraun, Angiologica. The prices of the meshes vary from BGN 98 to BGN 1600. There are used mainly meshes 7/15 from costs reasons in Multiprofile Hospital For Active Treatment - Dobritch and Multiprofile Hospital For Active Treatment - Silstra, as in Varna (Multiprofile Hospital For Active Treatment `Sveta Marina`) the costs amount to be lower. The main mechanical characteristics of the used meshes (weight, thickness, pores` amount, fibre`s diameter) are very variable. It is operated with knitted, monofilament, polypropylene meshes having pores` amount 0,6 - 4 mm, thickness 0,45 - 0,6 mm and weight from 11 to 130 g per m2. The meshes are prevailing heavy. It is rare to be used semi- absorbable meshes.
Conclusion: Cheaper HM are preferred which may be followed by the worsening of the post-surgery results because they are with worse technical characteristics.