The present invention relates to medical prostheses and methods ofmanufacturingthose devices. In particular, the prostheses are temporarily stiffened mesheswith particularcoatings to provide initial stiffness and thereby permit easier surgicalhandling for treatmentor reconstruction of soft tissue defects. Preferred embodiments includesurgical meshescoated with one or more biodegradable polymers that can act as a stiffeningagent by coatingthe filaments or fibers of the mesh to temporarily immobilize the contactpoints of thosefilaments or fibers and/or by increasing the stiffness of the mesh by at least1.1 times itsoriginal stiffness. The devices of the invention can also provide relief fromvariouspost--operative complications associated with their implantation, insertion orsurgical use. Byincluding biologically active agents and/or drugs in the coating, the devicesprovideprophylaxis for and can alleviate side effects or complications associatedwith the surgery oruse of prostheses in general.
