Devices and methods for preventing incisional hernias

A method of preventing an abdominal incisional hernia, comprising:

• placing surgical mesh intra-peritoneally or extra-peritoneally in an abdomen such that the center region is aligned with an incision;
• wherein the surgical mesh has a longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis and a plurality of spaced apart columns of hooks on the surgical mesh 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;
• and
• a reinforcing column of hooks on the surgical mesh 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;
• wherein the plurality of spaced apart columns comprises a first column on a first side of an center region and the second column on a second side of the center region, wherein the center region 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;
• suturing the surgical mesh to fascia by inserting suture through fascia and through hooks in the spaced apart columns in a series of substantially Z-shaped or X-shaped formations such that a ratio of suture length to incision length is about 4:1;
• and
• when a hook in the reinforcing column falls within a specific Z-shaped or X-shaped formation, looping the suture through such hook in the reinforcing column.