Use of Marlex mesh in the repair of recurrent incisional hernia.

Recurrent incisional hernia remains a major problem for the general surgeon. The rate of recurrence of hernia repaired by primary closure using nylon sutures or with knitted monofilament polypropylene (Marlex) mesh was studied. A total of 102 repairs were performed over a 19-year period. Marlex mesh was used in 49 cases and primary closure in 53. All except two patients were followed from 1 to 15 (mean 7.6) years or to death. The incidence of recurrence was 8 per cent when Marlex was used and 25 per cent after primary closure. In both groups the majority of the recurrences were in the first 16 months after repair. The use of Marlex mesh should be considered in the management of recurrent incisional hernia.