Next-generation surgical meshes for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications: materials, design and emerging manufacturing technologies

Abstract Surgical meshes have been employed in the management of a variety pathological conditions including hernia, pelvic floor dysfunctions, periodontal guided bone regeneration, wound healing and more recently for breast plastic surgery after mastectomy. These common pathologies affect wide portion worldwide population; therefore, an effective enhanced treatment is crucial to ameliorate patients’ living both from medical aesthetic points view. At present, non-absorbable synthetic polymers are most widely used class biomaterials manufacturing mesh implants dysfunctions with polypropylene poly tetrafluoroethylene being common. Biological prostheses, such as surgical grafts, mainly applications. Despite advantages these conditions, there still many drawbacks, related arising huge number post-operative complications, among which infections Developing that could appropriately integrate native tissue, promote its constructive remodelling, key aim ongoing research area implants. To this end, adoption new absorbable natural polymers, use drugs advanced technologies, 3D printing electrospinning, under investigation address previously mentioned challenges improve outcomes future clinical practice. The work review disadvantages meshes, main issues characterizing each procedure directions terms novel technologies latest regulatory considerations. Graphic abstract