CONCLUSIONS: In principle PP meshes following an uncomplicated ventral hernia repair do not shrink at all. A moderate shrinkage in isolated cases might occur following heavyweight mesh implantation. Under controlled conditions recurrence as well as complication rates are equal for heavyweight and lightweight PP meshes. Quality of life improves up to 2 years following mesh repair with a trend to a better outcome for lightweight meshes. Pain and mobility scores reached standard values 12 months postoperatively without significant differences between the lightweight and heavyweight meshes. PMID: 20186380 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Der Chirurg)