Basic science and clinical aspects of mesh infection in pelvic floor reconstructive surgery

Bacterial colonization following mesh-augmented pelvic floor reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse is probably an underestimated consideration. Although clinical infections are rare, subclinical contamination of the polypropylene mesh has been systematically demonstrated by bacteriological analyses during mesh implantation and on explanted meshes. A model of subclinical mesh infection does exist and bacterial colonization and mesh shrinkage have recently been correlated experimentally. New meshes with surface modifications or an antibiotic or antiseptic coating should be explored.