Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Abstract

The closure of the abdominal wall defects is a fascinating field within surgery. The combined strength of sutures and scar after simple approximation of tissues in many cases does not suffice to contain the abdominal viscera and an incisional hernia results. Surgical failure can be seen immediately in the dramatic form of a dehiscence or can emerge slowly over time with a change in the abdominal shape and contour. This chapter delves into the theory and practicum of how a surgeon can approximate two halves of an abdominal wall together to resist the inherent tensile forces that exist and create a durable closure. This review contains 19 figures and 35 references Key Words: bioprosthetic, bridging, component release, force distribution, foreign body reaction, gap formation, hernia, laparotomy, mesh, perforator preservation, rectus diastasis, suture pull-through, TAR release