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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

We appreciate the comments by Losanoff et al¹ regarding our article on the utility of absorbable mesh for temporary abdominal coverage in the severely injured²; however, they misquoted Table 3 by substituting raw numbers for percentages and adding the 2 columns. Our bowel fistula rate was actually 11 (15%) of 73 patients, and not 34 (47%) of 73 patients as they implied. We agree, however, that mesh placed directly on the bowel increases the risk of fistula. Several techniques have evolved that have decreased our current bowel fistula rate to 1 (4%) in the last 24 patients. We first attempt to insert the omentum between the mesh and the viscera and place petroleum jelly-impregnated gauze over the mesh. Moist gauze, suction drains, a towel, and antimicrobial incise drape (Ioban, 3M, St Paul, Minn) are placed over the wound to keep it sealed, followed up with postoperative bladder pressures to . . . [Full Text of this Article]