Ventral hernia--darning with prolene: a cost-effective management.

Fifty-three cases of ventral hernia admitted between 15th July, 1993 and 31st December, 2001 in the IPGME&R, Kolkata is being presented with analysis of causes, method of repair and complications. The study was intended to find a simple, universal cost-effective repair of the deformity. Most cases can be repaired with a method of closure consisting of plication of the inner layer and 2 to 3 layered darning in the outer layer with '0' prolene. The main factor appears to be a tensionless closure and avoidance of postoperative infection and stress like cough and constipation. While in the west, use of prolene mesh has become a routine, the authors feel that darning is not only less expensive but reduces the amount of foreign body introduced.