The treatment of large midline incisional hernias using a retromuscular prosthetic mesh (Stoppa-Rives technique).

Incisional hernia is a common problem after abdominal surgery. Many repair techniques with prosthetic meshes have been proposed but there is no general agreement as to the best choice. Our retrospective experience with 35 patients treated using a large polypropylene mesh placed beneath the rectus muscles and above the peritoneum (Stoppa-Rives technique) is reported. There was no operative mortality. Major postoperative complications occurred in 7 (20%) patients. Wound infection developed in 5 (14.2%) patients and in one case the mesh had to be removed. The recurrence rate was 2.8%. In conclusion, retrorectus preperitoneal mesh repair is an effective technique with a low recurrence rate and very few postoperative complications.