ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the occurrence of seroma and surgical wound infection after surgery. METHODS: A total of 42 individuals with large incisional hernias were subjected toonlay mesh repair. Following the mesh placement, the participants were randomly allocated to two groups. In group 1, closed-suction drains were placed in the subcutaneous tissue, while progressive tension sutures were performed in group 2. The participants were subjected to clinical and ultrasound assessment to detect seroma and surgical wound infection at three time-points after surgery. RESULTS: The occurrence of seroma at the early, intermediate or late assessments was respectively 19.0%, 47.6%, 52.4% in group 1 and 28.6%, 57.1%, 42.9% in group 2 and was not significantly different between groups (p 0.469; 0.631; 0.619). Surgical wound infection occurred 19% in group 1 and 23.8% in group 2, without a significant difference between the groups (p>0.999). CONCLUSION: The frequency of seroma and infection did not exhibit significant differences between individuals subjected to onlay mesh repair of large incisional hernias with drains or progressive tension sutures without drainage.