Dear Colleague,

You have just decided to use a biological mesh in one of your patients. Biological meshes are currently morefrequently used in circumstances where synthetic materials cannot be used. There are many different materialson the market and for the moment, no large series are available in literature to show their long-term effect andespecially cost-effectiveness. Because of the many variables involved, it is very difficult to perform arandomised controlled trial on this subject.

Therefore, the European Hernia Society has decided to start the EHS Registry for Biological Prostheses(ERBP). This is a prospective registry in Europe on the use of collagen meshes in (potentially) contaminatedcircumstances.