Biological Meshes in Infected Fields: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Inclusion Criteria: * wound infection related to a synthetic non-absorbable mesh for at least 15 days duration * incisional abdominal hernia with an abcess or fistula, without the presence of a synthetic non-absorbable mesh * incisional abdominal hernias smaller than 20 centimeter in the 2 largest diameters * incisional abdominal hernias requiring a surgical procedure * incisional abdominal hernias amenable to repair with a single biological mesh * age over 18 years Exclusion Criteria: * non-infected incisional abdominal hernia * history of biological mesh placement * incisional abdominal hernia in contaminated, but non infected field (stoma presence, violation of gastrointestinal tract) * incisional abdominal hernia larger than 20 x 20 cm * BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 * ASA score 4 and 5 * immunosuppression (including steroid and cytotoxic therapy) * chronic disease such as cirrhosis, renal insufficiency with renal dialysis, malignant disease, known collagen disorder * life expectancy under than 36 months * allergy to one of the biological mesh components * pregnancy or breastfeeding