Hernia System Addresses Causes of Postoperative Pain

A flower-like implant treats inguinal hernias without the use of tacks or sutures, often associated with postoperative chronic hernia pain.

The Freedom Inguinal Hernia System consists of the ProFlor implant, an open structure made of polypropylene. The implant is first compressed into the syringe-like delivery device, which is in turn inserted into the inguinal hernia defect. When released, the ProFlor implant recoils and stabilizes in the tissues without the need for fixation. The Freedom ProFlor implant dynamically adapts to the abdominal wall, designed for compressibility and inherent recoil, thus responding harmoniously to the movement of structures within the inguinal area. The polypropylene open-mesh structure also provides a scaffold for tissue in-growth.


After delivery, a small preperitoneal disk attached to the implant core helps to cover and protect the defect from behind. The delivery device has a housing designed to compress the implant during delivery and a rounded tip that allows gentle insertion into the hernia opening. A notch facilitates the alignment of the lamellas to the spermatic structures. The Freedom Inguinal Hernia System is a product of Insightra Medical (Irvine, CA, USA) and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The implants are available in both 25 mm and 40 mm configurations.

“A key to the adoption of this new technique is in the simplicity of the surgical procedure,” said Prof. di Adriano Venditti, MD, of the Policlinico Tor Vergata (Rome, Italy). “The combination of a fixation-free implant and special delivery device (like a giant syringe) means that less dissection is required and smaller incisions directly above the hernia can be made.”

A majority of hernia procedures involve some form of prosthesis, such as surgical meshes or plugs. These systems are often affixed using sutures, tacks, or other methods that hold the devices firmly in place. The fixation is thought to be one of the reasons for the syndrome of postoperative chronic hernia pain. Studies have shown that flat meshes shrink by up to 30%, while plug shrinkage can be as high as 70%. In both cases, the implant can pull on the fixation, thus becoming rigid or feeling like a hard, fibrotic foreign body.

Related Links:
Insightra Medical
Policlinico Tor Vergata