AUGMENTED CUTIS PLASTY

We report on 27 patients in whom a total of 28 augmented cutis plastie s were performed to correct large hernias of the abdominal wall. After closure of the defect by cutis plasty an absorbable mesh is sutured a t the fascia 2-3 cm away from the edge of the fascial defect. Postoper atively, 2 subcutaneous seromas had to be punctured. No wound infectio ns were observed. After a first procedure (n = 14) the recurrence rate was 7%, while after correction of recurrent hernias (n = 14) there we re 2 failures (14%). Augmentation by the mesh means that high initial stability of the abdominal wall is achieved, allowing transformation o f the cutis into a strong fibrous tissue.