Toward a Future Where Diabetes No Longer Limits Mesh Surgery.

Abstract

The use of synthetic mesh in urogynecologic pelvic reconstructive surgery has evolved substantially over the past three decades. Although advances in biomaterials, textile design, and surgical techniques have improved mesh outcomes, patient-specific factors remain insufficiently addressed. Among these, diabetes is common in women undergoing pelvic floor surgery and is associated with an increased risk of mesh-related complications. This review summarizes current perioperative glucose management in surgical populations and discusses its relevance to mesh implantation. Despite widespread reliance on HbA1c for preoperative assessment, reliable markers for predicting mesh outcomes are lacking. Intra- and postoperative glucose control also affects outcomes; however, optimal targets and their relationship to long-term implant success remain to be better defined. Patient management is further complicated by altered immune function driven by glycemic variability and hyperglycemic memory, alongside diabetes-related declines in tissue quality. This editorial advocates for a shift toward an individualized, precision medicine framework that integrates patient-specific factors and emphasizes the need for mechanistic studies, biomarker discovery, and computational modeling.