Use of Lyophilized Homografts of Dura Mater in Repair of Incisional Hernias

The use of patch grafts of cutis and of tantalum mesh for the repair of incisional hernias has become increasingly popular during the past 10 years, judging from the numerous reports in the literature.

The repair of those incisional hernias in which fascial aponeuroses can be imbricated without undue tension, according to the technique described by W. J. Mayo, is probably the best that can be obtained. Although originally designed for the repair of umbilical hernias, the principle of overlapping musculofascial layers can be applied to any incisional hernia, vertical or transverse, provided the tension is not too great. Enlarging the hernial defect by incising the hernial ring at both ends of its long axis often permits overlapping without too much tension. There is, however, a sizable minority of hernias in which primary closure cannot be done. It is this type of hernia that is best repaired with some type