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;
• a plurality of spaced apart columns of hooks on 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 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.