Experimental study on the use of a chlorhexidine-loaded carboxymethylcellulose gel as antibacterial coating for hernia repair meshes.

When incorporated in the carboxymethylcellulose gel, chlorhexidine showed reduced toxicity yet maintained its bactericidal effect at the surgery site. Our findings suggest that this antibacterial gel-coated polypropylene meshes for hernia repair prevent bacterial adhesion to the mesh surface and have no detrimental effects on wound repair.