Objective. To develop the method for preparing of autologous dermis for plastic replacement of anterior abdominal wall defects.

Material and methods. We used original method in 10 patients with ventral hernias W2, W3 in sub lay fashion. Mean age of patients was 51.6 years. The graft area varied within 315—1415 cm2. We analyzed intraperitoneal pressure, antimicrobial activity of the transplant and CT data.

Results. Saturating solution oxygenation time was determined experimentally (35±5 min at oxygen saturation 75.45±3.3 kPa). Microbiological analysis revealed increase in antimicrobial activity by 2.5—3.5 times. Intraperitoneal pressure throughout the entire postoperative period did not exceed 12 mm Hg. CT after 3 months showed complete closure of the defect with stable ratio of rectus abdominal muscles, internal oblique muscle and tendon strands, as well as mild postoperative infiltration of anterior abdominal wall. Postoperative complication (hematoma) occurred in 1 case.

Conclusion. The encouraging pilot clinical results are a good prospect in reconstruction of anterior abdominal wall for its weaknesses and defects. Accumulation of clinical experience and multiple-center studies will popularize this technology.

Keywords. ventral hernia, abdominal wall reconstruction, autologous skin transplantation, autologous dermis, hernia repair, perfluorocarbon emulsion