Devices and methods for preventing incisional hernias

A device for reinforcing closures of abdominal surgical incisions, comprising:

• a mesh sheet having a longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis;
• said mesh sheet having a first side and an opposed second side;
• a plurality of spaced apart columns of hooks on the first side of the mesh sheet running substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis, the hooks in each column having a common longitudinal distance between each adjacent hook, each hook in the spaced apart columns having an affiliated aperture adapted for use in marking of tissue for placement of sutures;
• a reinforcing column of hooks on the first side of the sheet between the spaced apart columns of hooks, wherein the hooks in the reinforcing column have a greater common longitudinal distance between hooks than in the spaced apart columns of hooks;
• and
• a center region that is an elongated substantially rectangular area that extends from a first edge of the sheet to a second edge of the sheet, the first and second edges being opposite one another and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheet, such that the plurality of spaced apart columns comprises a first column on a first side of the center region and a second column on a second side of the center region, the hooks in all columns being configured to receive a suture and being spaced relative to one another such that, for attachment of the device to a body of a patient, the spacing between hooks is dimensioned for a ratio of a length of suture to a length of an incision in the body of the patient of about 4:1, wherein each of the hooks is positioned near an affiliated aperture in said mesh sheet.