Use of Commerical Dacron Fabric in the Repair of Inguinal Hernias and Abdominal Wall Defects

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to report the favorable experiences in the use of commercial Dacron fabric as a prosthesis in the repair of inguinal hernias and large abdominal wall defects where a deficiency of satisfactory fascial layers exists. Many inguinal hernias and abdominal wall defects by their very extensive nature prevent the usual surgical repair by the use of the patient's own surrounding fascial tissues. Therefore, prostheses, such as fascia lata grafts,¹buried skin grafts,²tantalum wire mesh,* Surgaloy steel⁶mesh, nylon mesh,⁷Fortisan fabric,⁸and polyvinyl alcohol⁹sponge have been utilized either to reinforce weak fascial layers in hernial repairs or in some cases to support defects and to stimulate a fibroblastic reaction in order to develop a new fascial layer sufficient to prevent hernial recurrence. Certain characteristics of these prostheses will often justify the use of one in preference to