A prosthesis for repairing a hernia includes an adhesion-resistant
biodegradable region and an opposing tissue-ingrowth biodegradable
region. When the prosthesis is implanted into the patient, the
adhesion-resistant biodegradable region covers a fascial defect of the
hernia, and the tissue-ingrowth biodegradable region is located above the
adhesion-resistant biodegradable region while being exposed substantially
only to the host's subcutaneous tissue layer. This orientation allows the
tissue-ingrowth biodegradable region to become firmly incorporated with
the host's body tissue. The adhesion-resistant biodegradable region faces
the internal organs and decreases the incidence of adhesions and/or bowel
obstruction.