Massive abdominal-wall hernia reconstruction with expanded external/internal oblique and transversalis musculofascia

We describe a technique for expansion and primary closure of massive and large recalcitrant abdominal-wall hernias in the middle and lower abdomen utilizing expanders placed in the lateral abdominal wall between the external oblique and the deeper complex of the internal oblique and transversalis fasciae. Since this technique describes expansion of the lateral abdominal wall, insertion incisions are made in the lateral abdominal wall away from the primary zone of injury surrounding the abdominal hernia and without interrupting the blood supply or innervation to the abdominal-wall muscle, fascia, or skin. This technique, described in four patients with massive abdominal-wall hernias, has been used successfully for primary closure with vascularized autogenous abdominal-wall fascia, obviating the need for interposition of prosthetic material or extraabdominal flaps.