Mesh implants: An overview of crucial mesh parameters

Table 1 Definitions of the knit, warp-knit, nonwoven and woven textile structures

Textile structure	Definition
Knitted fabric	Knitted fabric consists of a number of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. Knitted structures are manufactures from single yarn systems. Thus, knitted structures can be ribbed off. Trimming of knitted structures often leads to a complete falling apart
Warp-knitted fabric	Warp-knitted fabric consists of a number of consecutive courses of loops, called stitches. Warp-knitted structures are manufactures from multi yarn systems whereby the number of separate strands of yarn equals the number of stitches in a row. In contrast to knitted structures warp-knitted structures can be trimmed and sewed
Nonwoven fabric	Nonwoven fabric consists of non orientated or to a certain degree orientated staple or endless fibers. After the nonwoven formation the structure needs to be bonded which either is realised by mechanical, thermal or chemical bonding
Woven fabric	Woven structures consist of two distinct sets of yarns or threads which are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric