Ventral/incisional abdominal herniorrhaphy by fascial partition/release

Ventral/incisional abdominal hernias following celiotomies continue to be a vexing problem for both patients and general and plastic and reconstructive surgeons, since no universally applicable preventive or reconstructive techniques have evolved. With reference to reconstruction, for example, primary repair is associated with a high incidence of recurrence; utilization of synthetic mesh is susceptible to extrusion, infection, and intestinal fistulization; and employment of truncal or extremity, free or rotational, myofascial flaps is associated with the morbidity of the procedure per se. By contrast, the use of fascial partition/release of the components of the abdominal wall employing bilateral parasagittal relaxing incisions in the obliquus externus abdominis and/or transversus abdominis fascia facilitates coaptation of the linea alba and obviates the aforementioned morbidity. This technique was utilized electively in seven adult patients with large defects of the anterior abdominal wall. In addition, for two patients, synthetic nonabsorbable mesh was applied superficial to the midline fascial closure. During a mean follow-up interval of 18 months (range 6 to 36 months), each patient healed per primum without evidence of eventration or herniation. The theoretic and pragmatic advantages of this technique are discussed. The use of fascial partition/release for reconstruction of abdominal wall defects should be part of the armamentarium of all herniotomists.