Incisional hernioplasty with extraperitoneal onlay polyester mesh

Recurrent incisional hernia remains a major problem for the general surgeon. The high recurrence rate of incisional hernias after primary closure by tissue approximation led to the development of tension-free procedures using prosthetic materials. The goal of this study is to present the results of an extraperitoneal tension-free technique using a polyester mesh (Mersilene). A total of 43 patients with incisional hernias were surgically treated during a 9-year period in our department. Twenty-four patients (56%) had recurrent incisional hernias, 21 had primary repair by tissue approximation, and 3 had prolene mesh tension-free repair with wound infection. Patients' mean age was 68.2 years, and the mean postoperative follow-up was 54.4 months. Immediate postoperative complications were noticed in 9 patients (21%) subcutaneous seroma in 6 (14%) and wound infection in 3 (7%). Recurrence was noticed in 4 patients (9%) during the first 9 postoperative months. Late minor complications such as restriction of abdominal wall motility and chronic pain was noticed in 3 (7%) patients. In conclusion, the extraperitoneal onlay tension-free incisional hernia repair using polyester mesh is an easy and safe procedure with no major morbidity or recurrence rate.     

腹腔镜下腹壁切口疝补片修补术的初步经验

目的:探讨腹腔镜下腹壁切口疝修补术的手术方法、安全性等问题。方法:对我院2004年3月～11月间收治的25例腹壁切口疝病人,进行腹腔镜下修补术。结果:24例(96%)手术成功,1例(4%)因腹腔内广泛粘连而中转为剖腹修补。平均手术时间为110min,平均术后住院6d,6例(24%)病人术中发现有一个以上的隐匿性缺损。术后并发症有:术后短期内修补区腹壁明显疼痛21例(84%),腹壁缝合点较长时间疼痛6例(24%),浆液肿3例(12%);无修补区感染,也未发现早期复发的病例。结论:对腹壁切口疝,多数病人是可以经腹腔镜进行粘连松解及补片修补术的,还可在术中发现其他隐性缺损。对腹腔内广泛粘连而影响操作器械的进入及分离者,应及时中转剖腹手术。     

腹腔镜下切口疝补片修补术的临床应用

目的探讨腹腔镜下腹壁切口疝修补术的手术方法、安全性等问题。方法对我院2004年3月至2005年7月间收治的42例腹壁切口疝患者,采用腹腔镜下修补术。结果41例（97.6%）手术成功,1例（2.4%）因腹腔内广泛粘连而中转为剖腹修补。平均手术时间为96 min,平均术后住院4.8 d,9例（21.4%）患者术中发现有一个以上的隐匿性缺损。术后并发症：术后短期内修补区腹壁明显疼痛36例（85.7%）,腹壁缝合点较长时间疼痛6例（14.3%）,浆液肿8例（19%）,无修补区感染,未发现早期复发的病例。结论对腹壁切口疝,多数患者是可以经腹腔镜进行粘连松解及补片修补术的,并可在术中发现其他隐性缺损。对腹腔内广泛粘连而影响操作器械的进入及粘连分离者,应及时中转剖腹手术。     

Subxiphoid incisional hernias after median sternotomy

BACKGROUND: Subxiphoid hernias are difficult to repair. This study attempts to identify risk factors associated with incisional hernia formation after median sternotomy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was conducted on patients undergoing subxiphoid incisional hernia repair between 1995 and 2002. The study group was compared with a group undergoing similar cardiothoracic procedures as to body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, complications, tobacco use, length of stay, ICU stay, bypass time, transfusion requirements, and wound infections. Statistical analysis utilized Student's t-test, chi-square, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: A total of 117 subxiphoid hernias were repaired; 45 were used for comparison with a matched cohort of 79 patients. Average time between sternotomy and hernia repair was 24.3 months (+/-16.8) with 22 (49%) patients developing hernias within 2 years. Mean followup was 48 months. The study group differed significantly from the nonhernia group in age (56.6 +/- 13.0 versus 62.2 +/- 8.9, p = 0.01), mean length of stay (16.3 +/- 22.8 versus 10.2 +/- 6.7, p = 0.03), BMI (29.6 +/- 4.5 versus 27.2 +/- 4.5, p = 0.01), number of transplantation patients (10 versus 1, p = 0.0003), and presence of sternal wound infection (18% versus 3.9%, p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed significance in regard to transfusion requirements (p = 0.015) and approached statistical significance with BMI (p = 0.058). Of the 45 patients undergoing hernia repair, 31(69%) had a mesh repair and 10 (32%) patients recurred. Six (43%) patients without a mesh repair recurred. Seventy-five percent of the patients with sternal wound infections developed recurrent hernias. CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion requirements, BMI, and sternal wound infections might be associated with subxiphoid hernias after median sternotomy. Sternal wound infection increases the risk of recurrent incisional hernia.     

Incisional hernia repair after orthotopic liver transplantation: a technique employing an inlay/onlay polypropylene mesh

Background: The literature provides no data on the incidence and operative management of incisional hernias developing after orthotopic liver transplantation. The use of high-dose immunosuppressive agents results in an appreciable delay in wound healing. There is thus a need for a procedure for the reconstruction of the abdominal wall for patients on immunosuppression. The aim of this retrospective study was to establish the incidence of incisional hernias and an analysis of the results after implantation of a polypropylene mesh in inlay–onlay technique after liver transplantation is given.Methods: The basis for the present retrospective investigations was a total of 207 liver transplantations carried out in 192 patients (15 re-transplantations). After performing tensiometry, a polypropylene mesh (Marlex) was implanted to close the hernias using the inlay/onlay technique or a direct closure of the fascia was done. All treated hernias were followed up for a median of 18 months.Results: Among 184 patients, 17 developed incisional hernias after primary direct closure of the abdominal wall, giving an incidence of 9%. In an additional 8 patients an incisional hernia was seen where an absorbable mesh was used to close the abdominal wall after liver transplantation. In addition, there were 25 incisional hernias after 207 liver transplantations (12%). One of 15 (7%) of the surgically repaired hernias with implantation of a polypropylene mesh (Marlex) developed a recurrence. All the 3 patients after direct apposition of the fascia without using a polypropylene mesh suffered a recurrence (3 of 3; 100%). Significant risk factors for developing an incisional hernia were the amount of ascites and the stay in the ICU after transplantation. Neither severe deep nor superficial wound infection nor bowel fistulas were observed after implantation of a inlay/onlay mesh.Conclusion: In patients after liver transplantation, the implantation of a polypropylene mesh proved to be an efficient and safe method of treating incisional hernias. Implantation of a mesh was not associated with an increased infection rate, despite the use of immunosuppression. In view of the high recurrence rate associated with primary closure, mesh implantation should be given preference.     

The use of polypropylene mesh in midline incision closure following gastric by-pass surgery reduces the risk of postoperative hernia

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a common problem following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: We report the preliminary results of nonrandomized prophylactic use of polypropylene mesh in a group of 60 consecutive patients. The patients with highest body mass index, and/or history of abdominal hernias and profound liver damage had abdominal wall reinforced with mesh during an operation. A year later the wound was assessed in all patients. RESULTS: In standard wound closure group (n=48) incisional hernia was found in 9 cases (20%). None of the patients with inserted mesh (n=12) developed hernia. The length of hospital stay in mesh group was similar to that in the nonmesh group and shorter than in patients with hernia occurrence. Mesh insertion was complicated with wound discharge in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion prophylactic use of polypropylene mesh in bariatric patients is highly effective in postoperative hernia prevention.     

Long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of suture versus mesh repair of incisional hernia

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the best treatment of incisional hernia, taking into account recurrence, complications, discomfort, cosmetic result, and patient satisfaction. BACKGROUND: Long-term results of incisional hernia repair are lacking. Retrospective studies and the midterm results of this study indicate that mesh repair is superior to suture repair. However, many surgeons are still performing suture repair. METHODS: Between 1992 and 1998, a multicenter trial was performed, in which 181 eligible patients with a primary or first-time recurrent midline incisional hernia were randomly assigned to suture or mesh repair. In 2003, follow-up was updated. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 75 months for suture repair and 81 months for mesh repair patients. The 10-year cumulative rate of recurrence was 63% for suture repair and 32% for mesh repair (P < 0.001). Abdominal aneurysm (P = 0.01) and wound infection (P = 0.02) were identified as independent risk factors for recurrence. In patients with small incisional hernias, the recurrence rates were 67% after suture repair and 17% after mesh repair (P = 0.003). One hundred twenty-six patients completed long-term follow-up (median follow-up 98 months). In the mesh repair group, 17% suffered a complication, compared with 8% in the suture repair group (P = 0.17). Abdominal pain was more frequent in suture repair patients (P = 0.01), but there was no difference in scar pain, cosmetic result, and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh repair results in a lower recurrence rate and less abdominal pain and does not result in more complications than suture repair. Suture repair of incisional hernia should be abandoned.     

Elective colonic operation and prosthetic repair of incisional hernia: does contamination contraindicate abdominal wall prosthesis use?

BACKGROUND: Wound infection and sepsis leading to incisional hernia development are common after emergency colonic operations. Later on, while being operated on to correct an incisional hernia, most of these patients will need colonic resection or bowel continuity reestablishment. Simultaneous treatment of incisional hernias in patients with colostomy or colonic disease remains a difficult challenge, considering the reluctance of most surgeons to treat both conditions at the same time, especially when prosthetic repair is needed. STUDY DESIGN: The aim of this study was to analyze the short-term results of patients undergoing colonic resection or bowel continuity reestablishment and simultaneous incisional hernia repair with an onlay polypropylene mesh technique. Over a period of 6 years, 20 patients were operated on for colonic problems associated with incisional hernias, including 8 Hartmanns' colostomies, 6 colostomies or ileostomies with colonic mucous fistulas, 3 postoperative colocutaneous fistulas, a paracolostomic hernia, a Chagas' megacolon, and a pseudotumoral diverticulitis. A "rule of three" statistical analysis was used to estimate the maximum risk of adverse effects, concerning mesh-related morbidity, after 1- and 2-year followup. RESULTS: A major complication occurred in a patient who developed an anastomotic leakage and secondary wound infection; the patient was treated with parenteral nutrition and antibiotics. Other complications included a minor wound infection, a seroma, and a chronic sinus. One patient died from postoperative problems unrelated to the surgical technique. The occurrence of postoperative wound infection did not prevent mesh incorporation. Followup ranging from 1 to 7 years detected no hernia recurrences; 13 patients were followed for 2 years or more. Our results suggest that risk of mesh-related morbidity does not exceed 15.8% (3 of 19) within the first year and 23.1% (3 of 13) for 2 years followup, with 95% confidence. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that prosthetic repair of incisional hernias associated with simultaneous colonic operations was possible, allowing abdominal wall anatomy reestablishment. There is no reason to believe that abdominal wall prostheses must be avoided in contaminated operations when an adequate surgical technique is used.     

Rectusbanding variation II - a method for the repair of incisional hernias - further developments

We report on further developments of the rectusbanding variation II method which is used for the repair of large incisional hernias in 70 patients. Using this method the musculus rectus abdominis is not entirely looped. Instead, the polypropylene bands, which have been placed in sublay position, are penetrating the lateral rim through incisions and are fastened there. Important to note that the polypropylene bands are not used to ligate the abdominal wall. The bands must be placed loosely. This allowed us to reduce the applied material by almost 50 per cent. Although a high number (n = 70) of large incisional hernias (about 150 cm (2), variation I n = 16/20,3%, variation II n = 29/41,4%) were operated upon with this method (rectusbanding variation II) previous excellent results could be further improved (wound infectionrate 2,8%, recurrence rate after 18 months 0%, patients had no complaints and their mobility was excellent). Only the seroma formation rate was slightly increased due to the large size of the hernias. These excellent results are mainly based on the absolutely reliable fixing of the polypropylene bands and the complete mesh coverage by soft tissue. This method can be easily learned by any surgeon and is a true alternative to all conventional methods which have been published so far. In particular laparoscopic methods for incisional hernia repair can be replaced by this technique.     

Long-term pain and recurrence after repair of ventral incisional hernias by open mesh: clinical and MRI study

Background and aims Polypropylene mesh repair of large incisional ventral hernias has become increasingly popular. Long-term effects of the mesh on pain and abdominal muscles are not known.Patients/methods Retromuscular pre-peritoneal polypropylene mesh was placed by open technique in 84 consecutive patients with large ventral hernias (mean defect size 130 cm²). We re-examined the patients after a mean follow-up time of 3 years to find out the frequency of recurrence and chronic pain. We measured the thickness of abdominal muscles of eight patients preoperatively, and postoperatively after 1 year, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Results Recurrent hernias had appeared in four patients (5%) at follow-up. Nine patients (13%) needed occasional pain-relieving drugs, but only three (4%) suffered persistent, severe, pain from the mesh. Some limitation during leisure-time physical activities was found in 10% of patients. Only ten patients (12%) were re-operated on because of wound complications or recurrence. MRI study indicated that abdominal muscles were postoperatively well preserved. Although wound infections (6%) and seroma (9%) were frequent complications, there was no need for meshes to be removed in the follow-up.Conclusion Open ventral herniorrhaphy with mesh is safe, effective and inexpensive. Small, recurrent hernias were infrequent and easy to re-operated on. Severe pain from the mesh was not common. Postoperative MRI study indicated no obvious damage of abdominal muscles after mesh placement.     

Repair of large midline incisional hernias with polypropylene mesh: Comparison of three operative techniques

Polypropylene mesh is widely used for the reconstruction of incisional hernias that cannot be closed primarily. Several techniques have been advocated to implant the mesh. The objective of this study was to evaluate, retrospectively, early and late results of three different techniques, onlay, inlay, and underlay. The records of 53 consecutive patients with a large midline incisional hernia — 25 women and 28 men, mean age 60.4 (range 28–94) — were reviewed. Polypropylene mesh was implanted using the onlay technique in 13 patients, inlay in 23 patients, and underlay in 17 patients. Either the greater omentum or a polyglactin mesh was interponated between the mesh and the viscera. The records of these 53 patients were reviewed with respect to: size and cause of the hernia, pre- and postoperative mortality and morbidity, with special attention to wound complications. Patients were invited to attend the outpatient clinic at least 12 months after implantation of the mesh for physical examination of the abdominal wall. Postoperative complications occurred in 14 (26.4%) patients. The onlay technique had significantly more complications, as compared to both other techniques. Reherniation occurred in 15 (28.3%) patients. The reherniation rate of the inlay technique was significantly higher than after the underlay technique (44% vs 12%, P=0.03) and tended to be higher than the onlay technique (44% vs 23%, P=0.22). Repair of large midline incisional hernias with the use of a polypropylene mesh carries a high risk of complications and has a high reherniation rate. The underlay technique seems to be the better technique.     

肌后间隙修补法治疗腹壁切口疝患者的疗效

目的探讨肌后间隙修补法（Sublay）在腹壁切口疝患者治疗中的手术效果。 方法回顾性分析2015年1月至2017年8月,首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院疝和腹壁外科107例行Sublay手术的腹壁切口疝患者的临床资料,分析患者的一般资料、手术方法、并发症及术后转归情况,随访其有无切口疝复发及补片相关并发症发生情况。 结果本组患者均顺利完成手术,平均手术时间（60.3±7.8）min,平均住院时间（17.6±5.3）d,所有患者术后恢复良好,2例患者出现脂肪液化,经换药后伤口愈合;1例患者出现皮下血肿,1例患者出现血清肿,经局部加压保守治疗后治愈,无伤口感染及局部异物感,无死亡患者。随访时间6～38个月,平均随访时间（22.7±10.8）个月,无切口疝复发,无死亡患者,无补片感染、慢性疼痛及局部异物感等补片相关并发症发生。 结论肌后间隙修补手术（Sublay）治疗腹壁切口疝结果满意,手术疗效较好。     

腹腔镜下切口疝补片修补术的临床应用

目的 探讨腹腔镜下腹壁切口疝修补术的手术方法、安全性等问题。方法对2004年3月至2006年5月79例行腹腔镜下补片修补术治疗腹壁切口疝病人的临床资料进行分析。结果 78例（98．7％）手术成功，1例因腹腔内广泛粘连而中转开放修补。平均手术时间为88min，平均术后住院4．6d，18例（22．8％）病人术中发现有1个以上的隐匿性缺损。术后并发症：术后短期内修补区腹壁明显疼痛58例（73．4％）。腹壁缝合点较长时间疼痛6例（7．6％），浆液肿14例（17．7％），无手术死亡，1例术后出现肠瘘，经保守治疗好转，1例腰部切口疝的病人术后复发。结论 多数病人腹壁切口疝可以经腹腔镜行粘连松解及补片修补术，并可在术中发现其他隐性缺损，手术安全性较高。对腹腔内广泛粘连而影响操作器械进入及粘连分离者，应及时中转开腹手术。     

Repair of giant incisional hernias with polypropylene mesh: a retrospective study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long term results of repair of ventral incisional hernias or of defects in the abdominal wall using polypropylene mesh. Eighty-eight patients were operated on from 1979-1996, inclusive. Abdominal protrusion was found in 78 patients. Fifty-one of these patients had previously had an incisional hernia repaired and the remaining 10 patients had an abdominal wall defect as a result of excision of a malignant tumour. The polypropylene mesh was placed extraperitoneally and sutured with two rows of interrupted stitches, using non-absorbable sutures. Recurrence of the hernia was found in 10 of the 67 patients with incisional hernia. Eight patients had a relaxation of the muscles of the abdominal wall. Perioperative complications consisted of infection (n = 4), embolism (n = 1), haematoma (n = 1), and pneumonia (n = 3, one fatal), and one fatal bowel perforation. Median follow up time was 5.7 years (range 0-17). It is therefore possible to obtain acceptable results after repair of larger incisional hernias even if they had been repaired before.     

Knitted polypropylene (Marlex) mesh in the repair of incisional hernias

In 50 consecutive patients, large incisional hernias or those difficult to manage were repaired by suture imbrication of the hernial sac and extrafascial onlay fixation of Marlex mesh. Seromas developed in three and wound infection in two. The use of closed suction drains for all patients and antibiotic prophylaxis before and after operation for patients with antecedent wound infections may prevent these complications. In the follow-up period (mean of 2.6 years), lateral recurrence of the hernias occurred in three patients, but there has been no recurrence in the last 2 years. The method of repair is simple and effective.     

Comparison of laparoscopic and open repair of incisional and primary ventral hernia: results of a prospective randomized study

Background Incisional hernia is an important complication of abdominal surgery. Its repair has progressed from a primary suture repair to various mesh repairs and laparoscopic repair. Laparoscopic mesh repair is a promising alternative, and in the absence of consensus, needs prospective randomized controlled trials. Methods Between April 2003 and April 2005, 66 patients with incisional, primary ventral and recurrent hernias were randomized to receive either open retrorectus mesh repair or laparoscopic mesh repair. These patients were followed up at 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals thereafter for a mean of 12.17 months (open repair group) and 13.73 months (laparoscopic repair group). Results Lower abdominal hernias after gynecologic operations constituted the majority of the hernias (∼50%) in both groups. There was no significant injury to viscera or vessel in either group and no conversions. The defect size was 42.12 cm² in the open (group 1) and 65.66 cm² in the laparoscopic group (group 2), and the prosthesis sizes were, respectively, 152.67 cm² and 203.83 cm². The hospital stay was 3.43 days in open group and 1.47 days in laparoscopic group (p = 0.007). There was no significant difference in the pain scores between the two groups. More wound-related infectious complications occurred in the open group (33%) than in the laparoscopic group (6%) (p = 0.013). There was one recurrence in the open repair group (3%) and two recurrences in laparoscopic group (6%) (p = 0.55). Conclusions Laparoscopic repair of incisional and ventral hernias is superior to open mesh repair in terms of significantly less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospital stay, and excellent cosmetic outcome.     

Human acellular dermal matrix for ventral hernia repair reduces morbidity in transplant patients

Purpose  

Organ transplantation is widely accepted as the treatment of choice for native organ failure. Due to required immunosuppression, however, organ recipients are prone to wound infections, incisional hernias, and fascial dehiscence. These complications are especially dangerous in this patient population, as they can compromise the survival of the transplanted organ. Various methods have been employed to repair ventral and incisional hernias in these patients. These include primary repair, synthetic mesh, biologic mesh, tensor fascia lata grafts (TFL), component separation, flaps from the thighs, or a combination of these. The goal of this study was to review the experience at our institution with ventral hernia repair in transplant patients and to compare outcomes of the various repair techniques.     

Incisional hernia after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a potential complication of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), with various options for repair. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective review of a series of adult patients with incisional hernias after OLT to identify risk factors and to compare methods of repair. RESULTS: Incisional hernia repair was performed in 44 of 959 patients (4.6%) who underwent OLT from 1999 to 2005. Mean age at time of OLT was 53 years, and 73% were men. One or more complications of OLT occurred in 33 patients (75%) and included reoperation for bile leak or hemoperitoneum (34%), pulmonary problems (27%), early acute rejection (7%), and severe ascites and retransplantation (5% each). Incisional hernia was diagnosed at 419 days (range 62 to 1,524 days) and repaired at 471 days (range 109 to 1,581 days) after OLT. Presentation included pain or discomfort (78%) and incarceration or strangulation (5%); 17% were asymptomatic. Herniorrhaphy techniques included fascial repair with onlay polypropylene mesh reinforcement (n=25, 57%); fascial repair only (n=15, 34%); or inlay mesh sewn to fascial edges (n=4, 9%). Complications of repair included recurrence in seven patients (16%) and wound infection and seroma in one patient each. Recurrence occurred in five patients with primary repair and two with mesh techniques (33% versus 6%, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Incisional hernia is a late complication of OLT for which male gender and early post-OLT complications are risk factors. Repair is safe when undertaken after acute problems have resolved and is best accomplished using mesh reinforcement of autologous tissue.     

Laparoscopic tension-free repair of anterior abdominal wall incisional and ventral hernias with an intraperitoneal Gore-Tex mesh: prospective study and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Recurrence rates after repair of incisional and ventral hernias range from 18% to 52%. Prosthetic open repair has decreased this rate, but the wide fascial dissection it requires increases the complication rate. Laparoscopic repair is a safe and effective alternative. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed including 86 patients (63 women and 23 men) with a mean age of 54 years (range 29-79 years) having incisional or ventral hernias who underwent laparoscopic repair in our institution between July 1994 and October 2001. The majority of the patients were obese with a mean body mass index of 31.7 kg/m2. The abdominal wall defect size ranged from 2 X 1 cm to 20 X 13 cm. In all cases, a Gore-Tex mesh (Dual Mesh, W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) was used in sizes ranging from 10 X 15 cm to 20 X 30 cm. RESULTS: Nineteen repairs were performed for recurrent hernias (12 incisional and 7 ventral). The mean operative time was 110.3 minutes (range 50-240 minutes). There was one open conversion (1.2%), one intraoperative complication (1.2%), and no deaths. There were no wound or mesh infections. Immediate postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients (10.6%) and late complications occurred in 16 patients (18.8%). The average hospital stay was 4.8 days (range 2-19 days). During a mean follow-up of 37 months (range 6-73 months), there were 6 hernia recurrences (7%). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair of incisional hernia and ventral hernia appears to be safe, especially with the use of Gore-Tex mesh, and is proving to be effective as it decreases pain, complications, hospital stay, and recurrences.     

Open Onlay Mesh Repair for Major Abdominal Wall Hernias with Selective Use of Components Separation and Fibrin Sealant

Background The objective of the study was to reassess the efficacy of the open onlay technique for repair of major incisional hernias, utilizing the modern adjuncts of components separation and fibrin sealant to reduce the principal complications of seroma and recurrence. Major incisional hernias were defined as >10 cm transverse diameter. Methods A prospective audit was applied to 116 patients undergoing open onlay incisional hernia repair during a 2-year period at a single institution. Information was collected concerning operative details, postoperative complications, and recurrence. Clinical review at a median 15.2 months postoperatively was followed by a telephoned structured questionnaire to assess quality of life. All patients with pain or suspected recurrence were recalled for examination. Results Fascial closure required components separation in 21 (18.1%) patients when tension-free fascia reconstruction was not possible, and fibrin sealant was applied in 22 (18.9%) in whom extensive skin flaps were dissected beyond the semilunar line. Postoperatively, there were 11 (9.5%) seromas and 2 (1.7%) deep wound infections. At 15.2 months’ follow-up there were 4 (3.4%) recurrences. Conclusions Open onlay mesh repair for major incisional hernias is a versatile operation applicable to all quadrants of the abdominal wall and gives excellent results when used in association with components separation and fibrin sealant.