Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Robotic Hernia Surgeon · Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar · Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
In short
Many people who have had a hernia repair later need a MRI for something else. It may be the back, a knee or the brain. The scan form asks about implants, and a mesh is an implant. So the question comes up often.
The short answer is that a MRI is usually safe. Here is why, and what to do before the scan.
A hernia mesh is a thin, flexible sheet that supports the weak area. Almost all meshes used today are made of plastic fibres. Common ones are polypropylene and polyester.
These materials are not magnetic. They do not move, pull or heat up in a MRI machine.
The mesh is held in place in one of a few ways. Stitches and glue contain no metal. Many tacks are made of a material that slowly dissolves. Some tacks are titanium.
Titanium is a metal, but it is not pulled by the MRI magnet. Titanium tacks are generally accepted for MRI. The scan team still likes to know the exact product. That is written in your operation note or discharge summary.
What is used in a mesh repair and how it behaves in scans
| Part | Usually made of | In a MRI scanner |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh | Plastic fibres such as polypropylene or polyester | Not magnetic |
| Stitches | Plastic thread, some of it dissolving | Not magnetic |
| Dissolving tacks | A plastic that the body slowly absorbs | Not magnetic |
| Metal tacks | Titanium | Not attracted by the magnet |
| Glue | Medical tissue glue | Not magnetic |
Need a MRI and not sure about your mesh? Send a photo of your discharge summary on WhatsApp.
The radiographer makes the final check. In nearly all cases the scan goes ahead as planned.
On CT and MRI pictures a mesh may show as a thin line or a slight thickening in the belly wall. A radiologist who does not know about the repair may mention it in the report. Telling them about your surgery avoids confusion.
Most meshes do not show on a plain X-ray. Metal tacks show as small white dots. This is expected and harmless.
A plastic mesh does not set off metal detectors or full-body scanners. A few titanium tacks are too small to cause an alarm in nearly all cases. You do not need a doctor's letter to travel.
Almost all hernia meshes are made of plastic fibres, such as polypropylene or polyester. These are not magnetic and do not heat up in a MRI scanner.
If the scan is needed, it can usually be done at any time after surgery. Tell the MRI team the date of your operation.
Many tacks are made of a material that dissolves. Others are titanium, which is not attracted by the magnet. The MRI team checks the product name in your record.
No. A plastic mesh does not set off metal detectors or body scanners. You do not need a letter for a mesh repair.
A mesh may show as a thin line or a slight shadow on CT or MRI. Most do not show on a plain X-ray. Tell the radiologist you have had a repair.
The main page on this site is robotic hernia surgery in Ahmedabad. These cover the neighbouring questions.
Where to find us
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Shah's Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre
Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar
Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
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