Study of outcome of a new method of darning for repair of large and recurrent hernias

Background: Incisional hernia is the result of a failure of fascial tissues to heal and close following laparotomy. Laparoscopic Meshplasty is a standard method of repair but not usually done in large incisional and recurrent hernias.  Recurrence after repair is common in incisional hernia and poses a significant challenge for the plastic surgeons. We describe here a technique of anatomical repair of the large incisional, and recurrent hernia by darning without using mesh, which is effective in midline, paramedian as well as transverse incisional hernias. Aims and objectives to study the outcome and efficacy of our technique of Darning in cases of large and recurrent incisional hernias without using mesh.Methods: It is a prospective non randomized study of 5 year duration in which we have studied 20 cases of either large or recurrent incisional hernia admitted in our hospital. We operated these cases by darning of the rectus sheath without tension by mattress suture by prolene no.1.Results: 20 patients underwent this repair with few minor complications and there was no recurrence for minimum period of follow of 2 years.  Approximation of inner margin and separately mattress pattern darning of outer rectus sheath by prolene no.1 strengthens the repair, but do not cause complication associated with meshplasty like infection, adhesion and fistula formatioṇ.Conclusions: Our technique of darning is an extraperitoneal method of hernia repair which do not incorporate mesh and is an effective method of hernioplasty with manageable early postoperative complication. We have not seen any recurrences in follow up period.