[Tension-free prosthetic repair in the surgical treatment of epigastric hernia].

From November 1994 to June 2001, the authors have performed 16 operations for epigastric hernia. Local anaesthesia was used in 8 patients with small hernias, in the remaining 8 general anaesthesia was preferred. In defects smaller than 4 cm, the repair was achieved by insertion of a polypropylene dart plug sutured to the margins of the hernial defect. In larger defects a double layer mesh placed in the pre-peritoneum was used. All patients were discharged within 24 hours of surgery. Postoperative pain was mild and required hospital analgesia in 25% of cases and domiciliary analgesia in 1 patient only. During a follow-up ranging 3 to 79 months (mean 31.2), no recurrence has been recorded. The proposed technique is simple, safe and absolutely effective, allows immediate rehabilitation with a low risk of complications.