Surgical treatment of large median incisional hernia using the prosthetic mesh introduced behind the rectus abdominis muscle sheath procedure (Rives-Stoppa procedure).

A number of 77 large incisional hernias located on the midline of the abdomen were operated following Rives-Stoppa procedure, in a period of five years (2006-2011), in the Surgery Clinic I of the University Hospital Bucharest. The characteristics of the study group were mean age - 62 years, predominance of females - 63 cases (82%), the rate of obesity - 26 observations (34%). Immediate postoperative morbidity was represented by (no. cases): thrombophlebitis (3), prolonged postoperative ileus (6), seroma (12) extended hematic drainage (5), hematoma (4). There were no fatalities. Late postoperative morbidity (no. cases) registered granulomas (4) and recurrence (2). We obtained good and very good results in 71 cases (92%).