An abdominal incisional hernia repair using the Composix® Kugel Patch: Two cases reports

Abstract

We describe two patients with abdominal incisional hernias, which occurred after appendectomy and replacement of an artificial blood vessel. Both were treated by operative hernial repair with the Composix® Kugel Patch (C.R. Bard Inc.), a composite mesh that combines polypropylene mesh and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex®). The mesh has various beneficial characteristics. It is a reinforcing material for the abdominal wall; even when in direct contact with the intestinal tract it is minimally adherent to the intestinal tract. The mesh expands readily and is easily fixed to the abdominal wall because it has a shape-memory ring. The long-term results of operative repair with this mesh have not yet been reported, but it is hoped that the aforementioned characteristics will yield favorable outcomes.