Cook CE marks hiatal hernia graft

Cook Medical has CE marked its Biodesign hiatal hernia graft for sale in Europe. The graft provides a biologic scaffold that is not prone to the erosion into the oesophagus that synthetic mesh can cause. The device, available in the US since 2004, helps restore the strength and function of the crura of the diaphragm. A hiatal hernia occurs when an abdominal organ, usually the stomach, protrudes through a tear or weakness in the diaphragm. Incidence of this type of hernia increases with age. The graft has been shown superior to synthetic mesh when used to repair inguinal hernias (www.clinica.co.uk, February 9 2010).