[Treatment of post-operative ventral hernia: elementary biomechanical basis. Report of 51 cases treated by mersilene mesh (author's transl)].

Elementary functional anatomy of the normal abdominal wall and following incisional hernia are described. The treatment of postoperative hernia should be based on this: its object is to restore the morphology and functions of the abdominal wall, in particular its respiratory function. It may be necessary to carry out gradual pneumo-peritoneum before parietal repair. A mersilene mesh was used by the authors in 51 cases. Certain rules should be observed when this prosthesis is placed in position so that the abdominal muscles find the conditions closest to their normal function.