Repair of incisional hernias by F. Langenskiöld's operation.

One hundred and fifteen patients underwent the Fabian Langenskiöld repair of an incisional hernia. 81 patients were studied retrospectively in a physical examination by the authors. The follow-up period ranged from 12 months to 15 years, with a mean of 6 years and 2 months. Wound infection occurred in 35.8%. Small herniations and recurrencies were observed in 31%. Five patients had large recurrent hernias (6.2%) reaching preoperative size. Despite the high rate of recurrencies and infections this method was found valuable because it enables restoring of a firm abdominal wall even in large incisional hernias without implantation of foreign materials.