title: Cadaver as an experimental a model for the study of midline incisional hernia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a cadaver model and to compare different techniques to correct midline incisional hernia using the tension at the musculoaponeurotic layer as a parameter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four male cadavers were used to characterize the model. The tensile force applied to the anterior layers of the rectus abdominis muscle was measured after the linea alba was resected to create an abdominal wall defect. A dynamometer was used to measure the tensile force necessary to cause a 10-mm displacement of the tissues towards the midline. An index that allows comparison of tensile forces from different points was calculated by dividing the tensile force by the distance between the point of force application at the aponeurosis and the midline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cadaver is a good model for the study of midline incisional hernia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cadaver can be used effectively as a model to evaluate tension of the abdominal wall when tissue advancement and musculoaponeurotic flaps are performed in the repair of midline incisional hernia.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Romar Ângelo Barbato
authors.initials: RÂ
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Fábio Xerfan
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Nahas
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hochman
authors.forename: Felix Carlos Ocariz
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Bazzano
authors.forename: Carlos Roberto
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Amorim
authors.forename: Lydia Masako
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery; D002102:Cadaver; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013718:Tensile Strength