The synthetic and fully resorbable TIGR Matrix surgical mesh by Novus Scientific is currently being investigated by researchers in the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Researchers hope to find out if this mesh could reduce some of the frequent risks that occur with the surgical repair of sportsman’s hernia.

Inguinal disruption is also commonly referred to as sportman’s hernia and is a group name for painful injuries in the groin area which are caused by repetitive strain and strenuous training. It can occur in a significant percentage of high-performing athletes, and can occasionally affect non-athletes.

A sportsman’s hernia is different to a true hernia, and the initial treatment of sportman’s hernia can include physical therapy and rehabilitation programs, sometimes in combination with steroid injections.

“A treatment option for patients not responding to initial therapy is placement of a permanent mesh by minimally invasive procedure,” explained Professor Johan Lange of the department of surgery at the Erasmus University MC. “Such mesh aims to support the damaged tendons and absorbs pressure during physical exercise.”

According to Professor Gert-Jan Kleinrensink of the department of neuroscience at the Erasmus University MC, permanent, non-absorbable meshes can cause serious complications, including chronic post-operative pain. “We are very interested to evaluate whether a slowly resorbable surgical mesh, such as the TIGR Matrix, could help prevent these issues.”

The researchers of the R.E.P.A.I.R study group, who have published around 200 peer-reviewed articles on the use of surgical meshes in various procedures, are now planning a study to investigate the usefulness of the TIGR Matrix surgical mesh for the treatment of inguinal disruption.

The TIGR Matrix claims to be the first long-term resorbable, 100% synthetic, surgical mesh. Its unique technology which consists of dual-stage degradation and full resorption is thought to be a significant step forward in surgical mesh technology.

Novus Scientific are an organisation that develop, manufacture and market resorbable implants with the aim of helping the body's own healing. The resorbable nature of it’s TIGR Matrix mesh could prevent issues which have been caused by the widely reported vaginal mesh implant, for which campaigners are set to protest about in the coming weeks.