Large incisional hernia repair using intraperitoneal placement of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene

BACKGROUND: Several methods for using a prosthetic material to repair incisional hernias have been described, but only one previous report discussed pure intraperitoneal placement of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of 84 patients in whom pure intraperitoneal placement of ePTFE was used between March 1995 and October 1997. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperatively, 2 patients required mechanical ventilation, 5 had seromas, 3 had hematomas, 1 had an abscess, and 1 had wound necrosis. There was 1 death due to necrotizing fascitis. The prosthesis infection rate was 1.7%. During follow-up ranging from 1 to 3 years, there were 2 hernia recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Pure intraperitoneal placement of ePTFE has several advantages over other techniques, including minimal dissection and, possibly, a decreased risk of infection.