Healing of the operative fascial defect after repair of huge midline hernias with the reverse sheath method.

An experiment was carried out to ascertain the fate of the bared muscle following the repair of huge midline hernias with the "reverse sheath" method. Thirty-five patients have undergone operation by this method over the past five years, with excellent results. Experimental stripping of abdominal fascia was done on 35 rats. The bare rectus muscle was examined 1, 3, 5, 8 and 11 months after the operation. No regeneration of fascia was seen. The missing fascia was replaced by scar tissue. The results are important with regard to the support of the abdominal wall after repair of midline abdominal hernia by the above-mentioned method.