[Employment of prolene net in ventral hernia]

Patching with prolene net in cases of ventral hernia where it is not possible to close the defect in the abdominal wall with the patient's own tissue has been employed since 1979 in several departments for plastic surgery. Our clinical experience from 1979 to 1985 in 55 patients submitted to this form of operation shows that this is an employable method with few peroperative and postoperative complications and with satisfactory results over a prolonged period. Satisfactory results have been obtained, in particular, in patients with chronic bronchitis and obstructive pulmonary disease and several previous herniotomies. Introduction of the prolene net strengthens the weak tissues and permits closure without tension because the net acts as a substitute for the previously destroyed tissue. The prolene net does not reduce the intraperitoneal volume postoperatively. The prolene net causes a suitably slight foreign-body reaction and, in the course of six weeks, it is permeated by fibroblasts and converted to a fibrous plate. If intra-abdominal operations should prove necessary at a later date, the net may be divided as part of the abdominal wall.