The Effect of Cannabinoid-Impregnated Mesh on Infection Prevention in Hernia Repair: An Experimental Study in Rats

Surgical mesh is commonly used in hernia repair to reduce recurrence, but it is associated with a risk of postoperative wound infections, most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies. This study assessed whether cannabidiol-impregnated mesh reduces infection rates compared with untreated mesh in an animal model. 60 rats were randomized into four groups: one received standard mesh without bacterial exposure, one received standard mesh with bacterial exposure, one received cannabidiol-treated mesh with bacterial exposure, and one received cannabidiol-treated mesh without bacterial exposure. After implantation, animals were monitored for 14 days, and infection was assessed through clinical signs, microbiological cultures, histology, and inflammatory markers. Rats with cannabidiol-treated mesh showed a reduced infection rate (40%) compared to the infection control group (80%) (p = 0.0604). Histological inflammation and bacterial load were also lower in the CBD group. Inflammatory markers were comparable between groups. The study found that CBD-impregnated mesh implants exhibited a lower incidence of bacterial infections compared to the control group. These findings suggest that CBD-impregnated hernia mesh implants may offer a protective effect against S. aureus-related wound infections, potentially improving postoperative outcomes.