title: Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene patch for the repair of large abdominal wall defects.
abstract: Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) was used to repair 11 large abdominal wall defects in ten patients. Three patches were fixed to the adjacent abdominal aponeurosis with a single row of sutures; seven patches were implanted with a 1-2 cm overlap of patch and aponeurosis and a double row of sutures. Recurrent buttonhole hernias were found in two patients, in both of whom a single row of sutures had been used. This reherniation was due to insufficient anchorage of the patch to the fascia. It is concluded that ePTFE is a useful material to repair large abdominal wall defects provided the patch is fixed to the aponeurosis with an overlap and a double row of sutures to prevent buttonhole hernias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van der Lei
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Bleichrodt
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Simmermacher
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Schilfgaarde
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012008:Recurrence; D013536:Suture Techniques
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene