ORIGIN AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ABDOMINAL-W ALL DEFECTS

Repair of abdominal wall hernias is the most frequently performed oper ation in surgery. Primary hernias arise at anatomical weak points; inc isional hernias result from laparotomies. As the fascia heals slowly, the suture should be strong enough to withstand the intraabdominal pre ssure. Complications in wound healing may lead to a hernia, especially when absorbable sutures have been used. The rate of incisional hernia s is technically influenced by the type of incision, the suture techni que, and the suture material. To achieve adequate repair it is often n ecessary to change the principles of abdominal wall closure, for examp le by using alloplastic material. The meshes reinforce the architectur e of the abdominal wall both by pure mechanical means and by induction of a stable scar formation (polypropylene, polyester).