The article is debating a theme of great interest for the defect of the abdominal wall surgery – the use of biocompatible prosthesis. The surgeon is often confused by the avalanche of offers made by the mesh producers, making it mandatory for him to know very well the behavior of these alloplastic structures in the tissue environment.

From this point of view, we have discussed both the physicochemical properties and the histological reaction brought by the most common type of meshes: polypropylene, polyethylene – tereftalat, polytetrafluorideethylene. This presentation brings out the minimal but mandatory criteria for any mesh to be accepted, but also the criteria that need to be taken into consideration when we try to improve the qualities of the mesh closer to the desideratum of the “ideal mesh”.

The main conclusion of this review is that we have to change the myth of the “ideal mesh” with “the right chosen mesh”, that based on its chemical, physical, structural and biological qualities will adapt perfectly first to the patient’s needs and second to the surgeon’s needs.