GIANT VENTRAL HERNIAS AND THEIR REPAIR - A 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

A consecutive series of 32 repairs of massive incisional hernias have been followed up for a median of 45 months (range 8 months to 11 years ). The reconstruction was based on the frontal leaf of the rectus abdo minis and insertion of free fascia or pedicle flap from the tenser fas cia lata muscle combined with transposition of the rectus muscle. Medi an size of the hernias was 20 x 17 cm (range 6-35 x 8-30). The inciden ce of risk factors for both recurrence as well as operative complicati ons was high. During the median observation period of 45 months 9 hern ias recurred, the main benefit of a successful reconstruction was reli ef of pain in the abdominal wall and the lower back. We conclude that the method is useful for the treatment of patients with large ventral hernias. Reduction of controllable recurrence risk factors is importan t, and the treatment requires substantial resources and expertise.