Global Hernia Repair Devices Market is Estimated to Witness High Growth Owing to Increasing Medical Tourism and Initiatives by Government and NGOs
The Global Hernia Repair Devices Market is estimated to be valued at USD 6.21 Bn in 2024, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.1% over the forecast period (2024-2031). The market is growing at a significant rate mainly due to increasing medical tourism and rising geriatric population suffering from hernia. Furthermore, favorable reimbursement policies for hernia repair surgeries along with initiatives by government and NGOs to spread awareness regarding hernia treatment options are further propelling the market growth.
Market Dynamics:
Increasing incidence of hernia: According to the National Institute of Health, over 20 million people in the U.S. are suffering from hernia currently. Growing geriatric population along with rising obesity rates are steadily increasing the prevalence of hernia cases globally. This has significantly boosted the demand for effective hernia repair devices and meshes. Market players are constantly focusing on developing innovative hernia repair devices with advanced materials and features. Lightweight meshes, robot-assisted hernia surgeries, and bioabsorbable meshes are some of the emerging technologies in this market.
Increasing Prevalence Of Hernias Is Driving Growth In The Global Hernia Repair Devices Market
One of the key drivers for growth in the global hernia repair devices market is the increasing prevalence of hernia cases across the world. Hernias are common and occur when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue wall containing it. In October 2023, as per Oxford University Press, it is estimated that annually around 20 million inguinal and incisional hernia repair procedures are performed globally. The growing geriatric population is one of the major factors contributing to the rising hernia cases as hernia risk increases with age. Advancing age weakens the abdominal wall muscles making elderly people more susceptible to hernias. With rising life expectancy, the number of elderly individuals is projected to increase dramatically in the coming years, thereby fueling the demand for hernia repair devices.
Increasing Adoption Of Minimally Invasive Surgeries Is Boosting Market Growth
Another important growth driver for the hernia repair devices market is the rising adoption of minimally invasive surgeries (MIS). Traditionally, hernia repair surgeries involved an open procedure with a large abdominal incision. However, advancements in medical technology have led to the development of innovative MIS techniques such as laparoscopic and robotic assisted hernia repairs. MIS offers various benefits over open surgeries such as less post-operative pain, reduced hospital stay, fewer surgical complications and faster recovery. The minimally invasive options are now being preferred by both patients and surgeons. This increasing shift towards MIS approaches is having a positive impact on the sales of advanced hernia repair devices and meshes which are used in laparoscopic procedures.
Limited Reimbursement For Hernia Repair Surgeries Hinders Market Potential
One of the major restraints impeding the growth of the hernia repair devices market is limited or lack of reimbursement coverage for hernia surgeries. Hernia repair procedures though commonly performed are considered as elective surgeries by many private and public health insurances worldwide. Full or partial coverage for hernia surgery devices depends on the insurance plan and varies significantly between countries and regions. In developing nations, a large proportion of hernia patients have to bear the costs of treatment on their own due to inadequate health insurance. This acts as a deterrent for individuals with financial constraints and affects the adoption of costly innovative hernia repair solutions. With reimbursement policies remaining restrictive in several markets, the overall revenue potential for players in this industry gets restricted.
High Cost Of Minimally Invasive Surgical Technologies Hinders Widespread Adoption
Another challenge restricting the widespread adoption of advanced hernia repair solutions is their high cost compared to traditional open surgeries. While MIS approaches offer clinical benefits, the associated devices including meshes, staplers, trocars, and energy systems add significantly to the total procedure expenditure. Laparoscopic surgeries usually involve pricey equipment like video cameras, monitors and 3D visualization systems which escalate the overall costs. Additionally, learning curve and lack of expertise with new techniques increases the time and resources required for minimal access procedures. This considerable price difference compared to inexpensive open repairs stands as a barrier, especially in cost-sensitive developing healthcare settings. Unless appropriate payment models are implemented, the high budget requirement of innovative technologies will continue limiting their penetration.
Growing Medical Tourism Creates Opportunities In Developing Markets
The emergence of medical tourism has opened new opportunities for players in the hernia repair devices landscape. The availability of high quality yet relatively low cost treatment in certain developing Asian and Latin American countries has boosted medical travel to these regions. Countries like India, Thailand, Mexico, and Costa Rica have emerged as popular medical tourism destinations offering advanced healthcare alongside affordable living and vacation packages. This has aided commercial availability of premium hernia repair solutions including Mesh and other consumables in these markets via both public and private healthcare channels. With initiatives to promote medical value travel, the demand and potential for innovative devices in medical tourism hub nations is expected to surge going forward.
Rising Healthcare Expenditure In Emerging Economies Bodes Well For Market Growth
Another key opportunity area for hernia repair devices is emerging economies witnessing expanding healthcare spending power. Rapid economic development and rising average income levels are enabling people in nations like China, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa to spend considerably higher on elective treatments. This discretionary expenditure on quality-of-care upgrades like advanced surgical tools, meshes and accessories which were earlier unaffordable, indicates long term commercial viability. Additionally, the governments of these developing countries are channelizing increased budgets toward modernizing public healthcare systems. This augurs well for global medtech firms seeking new growth markets beyond saturated developed regions. With emerging markets
Key Developments:
- In April 2024, TELA Bio, Inc., a medical technology company, announced the U.S. launch of OviTex IHR, a robotic-compatible reinforced tissue matrix for inguinal hernia repair. Specifically designed for laparoscopic and robotic-assisted procedures, the product is available in three configurations to cater to diverse patient and procedural needs. Leveraging the OviTex portfolio, it combines ovine rumen layers with minimal polymer sutures, ensuring strength while minimizing the polymer footprint. With over 45,000 implantations and eight years of clinical application, OviTex has proven its efficacy in hernia repair.
- In September 2020, Surgical Innovation Associates received CE Mark approval for DuraSorb, an absorbable device tailored for aesthetic and reconstructive applications, including breast tissue support, prosthetic breast support, and hernia prevention
- In April 2022, Ariste Medical, a pre-commercial drug and device company, gained U.S. FDA clearance to market its drug-embedded synthetic hernia mesh in the United States, designed to reduce post-operative complications through localized therapeutic delivery
- In February 2021, W.L. Gore & Associates launched Synecor Intraperitoneal Biomaterial across Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East. This innovative biomaterial is developed for hernia reconstruction and the repair of abdominal wall soft tissue defects, offering strength and biocompatibility to support healing.
Key Player:
Medtronic Plc, Johnson & Johnson, Becton Dickinson and Company, Ethicon Inc. (Johnson & Johnson), C.R. Bard (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Boston Scientific Corporation, Cook Medical, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Atrium Medical Corporation (Getinge AB), W. L. Gore & Associates, Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, Herniamesh S.r.l., Acelity L.P. Inc., Stryker Corporation, and Baxter International Inc.
