Ogilvie's method applied to infected wound disruption.

Nylon mesh was used without closing the skin in 26 patients in whom it was not possible to close the infected abdominal wall without undue tension. A total of 73 meshes were implanted. Major complications consisted of three wound disruptions in two patients and formation of a sinus tract necessitating excision of the mesh in one patient. Definitive closure generally consisted of skin grafting on the granulation tissue growing through the mesh. Mortality was high, due to underlying diseases. In three of 13 survivors, an incisional hernia developed.