Marlex mesh for repair of abdominal wall defects.

The best synthetic material available for repair of abdominal wall defects associated with an insufficiency of tissue is Marlex mesh. Among 14 patients with large hernias and 3 who underwent tumour resection only 2 manifested recurrence of the defect. In three of these patients infection developed, but its control made it unnecessary to remove the Marlex. In another three with gross infection of the abdominal wall, Marlex was used successfully to provide abdominal wall closure.