The recurrence rates following the "simple" incisional hernia repair procedures (Mayo-procedure or direct adaptation) are unacceptably high, in literature up to 50%. In order to reduce the recurrence rates alternative procedures are necessary, e.g. the additional support of the anterior abdominal wall by implantation of a non resorbable mesh or autodermal plasty. Our national inquiry of 669 hospitals showed that the technique of autodermal hernioplasty is almost unknown among the German surgeons. In this article a comparison of the history, morphology, healing process and possibilities of cutis implantation as well as technical aspects of different types of autodermal hernioplasty (cutis lacing plasty, onlay and sublay corium mesh plasty) are described. By literature analysis the results of autodermal hernioplasty are compared with the results of mesh implantation. The autodermal hernioplasty is discussed as an alternative operative procedure to the implantation of artificial meshs.