A method for bonding a polymeric medical device to tissue is provided which includes providing a polymeric medical device having a plurality of reactive members of a specific binding pair attached on a surface of the medical device, and providing tissue with a plurality of complementary reactive members of the specific binding pair, wherein upon contact of the reactive members on the surface of the medical device with the complimentary reactive members on the tissue, covalent bonds are formed between the reactive members and the complementary reactive members, thus adhering the device to the tissue. A kit is provided including a polymeric medical device such as a patch or mesh having a plurality of reactive members of a specific binding pair attached to a surface of the device and an applicator containing a solution or suspension of complementary reactive members of the specific binding pair, the complementary reactive members having a functionality that will adhere them to biological tissue upon contact, said applicator adapted to deliver the solution or suspension to biological tissue.
