title: Nuttall technique: A method for subumbilical incisional hernia repair revised.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Large ventral incisional hernias are frequently repaired either by open or by laparoscopic mesh technique. The technique recommended by Nuttall has been used for the repair of large subumbilical incisional hernias but has not been popularized.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1991 to 2005, 21 patients, mean age 64.6 +/- 13 (44-86) years, underwent repair of large subumbilical incisional hernia with the Nuttall technique by which the rectus muscles are detached from the symphysis pubis and transposed to the opposite side. The exerted tension is minimal to the underlying tissues, and no prosthetic material is required to reinforce the abdominal wall.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Morbidity was recorded in five patients (23.8%). The median follow-up time was 84 months, and the recurrence rate was 4.8% (one patient).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a small number of patients have undergone repair with the Nuttall technique, the long-term results of the method seem to be encouraging for the repair of large subumbulical incisional hernias.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Department, Didimotichon General Hospital, Didimotichon, 68300, Greece. atentes@did-hosp.gr
authors.forename: Antonios-Apostolos K
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Tentes
authors.forename: Athanasios I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Xanthoulis
authors.forename: Charalambos G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mirelis
authors.forename: Ioannis G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Bougioukas
authors.forename: Evanthia G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Tsalkidou
authors.forename: Konstantina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Bekiaridou
authors.forename: Odysseas S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Korakianitis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000601:surgery*; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000601:surgery; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting