RESUMEN
AIM: To evaluate clinical efficacy of combined anterior prosthetic hernia repair in treatment of large and giant ventral hernias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with large and giant hernias have been analyzed. In the main group (n=675) combined methods of hernia gates repair were applied, in control group (n=257) - stretching repair including prosthesis deployment. Surgeons (n=22) were interviewed for learning curve, safety, limitations and reliability of combined methods. RESULTS: Combined method of hernia repair in patients with large and giant hernias reduces overall postoperative morbidity (p<0.001), wound complications (p<0.05) and incidence of recurrent hernia (p<0.001). Questionnaire data showed the possibility of learning for the method by the most of surgeons to treat these patients. As a result, some practical recommendations are presented for successful procedures and satisfactory results of treatment.