Clinical Use of GORE^® BIO-A^® Tissue Reinforcement in Ventral Hernia Repair Using the Components Separation Technique

Approximately four to five million laparotomies are performed in the United States each year.¹ The prevalence of incisional hernia after laparotomy varies according to patient characteristics such as obesity, but rates of two percent to more than 20 percent have been reported.^2,3 Some incisional hernias are asymptomatic and remained untreated, but more than 200,000 are repaired in this country annually.¹ The goals of repair include the alleviation of pain, discomfort, and functional limitations, as well as the prevention or treatment of incarceration and strangulation.⁴ Unfortunately, many repaired incisional or ventral hernias recur; thus, the primary objective of research and technological developments pertaining to these hernias has long been to minimize recurrences without increasing treatment-related complications.