Role of Prophylactic Mesh Placement for Laparotomy and Stoma Creation.

Incisional and parastomal hernias are a cause of significant morbidity and have a substantial effect on quality of life and economic costs for patients and hospital systems. Although many aspects of abdominal hernias are understood, prevention is a feature that is still being realized. This article reviews the current literature and determines the utility of prophylactic mesh placement in prevention of incisional and parastomal hernias.