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

Background 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 has shown antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies. Objective This study aimed to assess whether mesh implants treated with cannabidiol could reduce infection rates compared to untreated mesh in an animal model. Methods 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. Results Rats with cannabidiol-treated mesh showed a reduced infection rate (40%) compared to the infected control group (80%) (p = 0.0604). Histological inflammation and bacterial load were also lower in the CBD group, though not statistically significant. Inflammatory markers were comparable between groups. Conclusion 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.