title: Open repair of ventral incisional hernias.
abstract: Despite advances in many fields of surgery, incisional hernias still remain a significant problem. There is a lack of general consensus among surgeons regarding optimal treatment. A surgeon's approach is often based on tradition rather than clinical evidence. The surgeon's treatment plan should be comprehensive, with attention focused not merely on restoration of structural continuity. An understanding of the structural and functional anatomy of the abdominal wall and an appreciation of the importance of restoring dynamic function are necessary for the successful reconstruction of the abdominal wall.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 510 20th Street S, Birmingham, AL 35294-3411, USA.
authors.forename: Dan H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Shell
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de la Torre
authors.forename: Patricio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andrades
authors.forename: Luis O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Vasconez
mesh_terms: D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome