Abstract

In this study polypropylene mesh was used in 57 patients with contaminated/infected abdomen in order to protect and maintain the viscera within the abdomen while minimizing the tension on the abdominal wall from January 1991 through December 1995. None of these patients were eviscerated again. Polypropylene mesh was excised totally due to mesh extrusion in 5 (8.7%) patients, 2 of whom also had enterocutaneous fistulas. We also excised the six mesh partially because of Incomplete extrusion. 18 patients were lost owing to various reasons, but none of these were related to surgical procedure. This study suggests that a contaminated/infected abdomen is not an absolute contraindication to the use of potypropylene mesh.