title: Comparison of repair techniques for major incisional hernias.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple techniques exist for repair of incisional hernias. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs as well as sliding myofascial rectus flap ventral hernia repairs (the separation of parts technique) have received recent attention for low recurrence and low complication rates. These procedures are diametrically opposed solutions to the same clinical problem.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two surgeons of different surgical specialties will jointly compare and contrast these two ends of the spectrum regarding repair of ventral hernias.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An algorithm for patient selection is presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No one technique is the "best" procedure for all patients. Knowledge of the wide variety of surgical options will be of benefit to all patients with incisional hernias.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. gdumania@nmh.org
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dumanian
authors.forename: Woody
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Denham
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology