title: [Tension-free prosthetic repair in the surgical treatment of epigastric hernia].
abstract: From November 1994 to June 2001, the authors have performed 16 operations for epigastric hernia. Local anaesthesia was used in 8 patients with small hernias, in the remaining 8 general anaesthesia was preferred. In defects smaller than 4 cm, the repair was achieved by insertion of a polypropylene dart plug sutured to the margins of the hernial defect. In larger defects a double layer mesh placed in the pre-peritoneum was used. All patients were discharged within 24 hours of surgery. Postoperative pain was mild and required hospital analgesia in 25% of cases and domiciliary analgesia in 1 patient only. During a follow-up ranging 3 to 79 months (mean 31.2), no recurrence has been recorded. The proposed technique is simple, safe and absolutely effective, allows immediate rehabilitation with a low risk of complications.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Generale I, Policlinico Universitario, Università degli Studi di Catania.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brancato
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Privitera
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gandolfo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013525:Surgical Instruments