ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the case of mosquito net mesh as an alternative to commercial mesh for hernia repair and in particular explores why it hasn’t yet been used in high-income countries. Hidden narratives threading through the research studies suggest an ‘us vs them’ theme – the mosquito net is not ‘good enough’ of use in high-income countries, establishing a double standard in global health. This low-cost alternative from India could be easily discounted as inferior, not designed specifically for surgical use because it is a ‘work-around’ or an improvisation and as such not offering the same level of quality as a sterilized and packaged piece of commercial mesh. However, detailed examination of the evidence base, safety profile, mechanical features and cost-effectiveness suggest that, notwithstanding some challenges around the commercial and regulatory aspects of the mosquito net mesh, it offers substantial potential benefits for the UK context.
