[Bovine pericardium - a new graft material for hernial repair (author's transl)].

We compared glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardium with conventional Mersilene mesh with regard to suitability for repair of large incisional hernias in canine experiments. To test the materials the force needed to rupture them and the percentage of stretching to the breaking point were determined both in vitro and after implantation. The results showed that bovine pericardium is a suitable material for repair of large incisional hernias. Pericardium is superior to Mersilene mesh because of its minimal formation of adhesions with the underlaying bowel.