AUTOGENOUS SKIN-GRAFT IN THE TREATMENT OF LARGE INCISIONAL LUMBAR HERNIAS AND BULGES

Objective: Repair of large incisional lumbar hernias or muscular bulge s is a challenge to the surgeon as reflected by the high recurrence ra te. We evaluated a surgical procedure using a running strip of autogen ous skin graft as a retention suture. Methods: Eight patients with lar ge incisional lumbar hernias (greater than or equal to 20 cm, n = 6) o r muscular bulges (n = 2) underwent a parietal reconstruction with thi s procedure. Two patients had previously been treated with synthetic m eshes without success, and one had a colocutaneous fistula. Results: N o recurrence was observed in 6 patients (75 %) with a mean follow-up o f 14 months. After significant weight gain, 2 repairs failed at 6 mont hs and 1 year (partially in 1 case). No recurrence was noted for muscu lar bulges. Conclusion: The use of a running strip of autogenous skin graft is a simple and reliable procedure for the repair of large lumba r hernias or muscular bulges for patients with stable weight condition s.