Use of mesh to prevent recurrence of hernias

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The recurrence rate after hernia repair has remained the same for a hundred years. The two primary causes of recurrence are tension on the suture line and attrition of tissue from altered collagen metabolism. According to the authors, these problems can be solved by reinforcing the repair with polypropylene mesh, which is readily incorporated into tissue. The recurrence rate with this technique is extremely low (0.25%), and the patient's postoperative discomfort is minimal.