Etiology of late developing incisional hernias--the possible role of mechanical stress.

The etiology of incisional hernias that develop a year or more after laparotomy is not understood. This subset of incisional hernias is not associated with the etiologic factors usually implicated in incisional hernia formation. Mechanical stress is known to have a profound influence on the structure of both normal and wounded tissue. It is hypothesised that mechanical stress plays an important role in the development of late incisional hernias.