The long-term durability of plication of the anterior rectus sheath assessed by ultrasonography

Laparoscopic repair of diastasis recti using the 'Venetian blinds' technique of plication with prosthetic reinforcement: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Diastasis is a separation of the two recti due to various reasons, and can be measured as the 'inter-recti distance' (IRD). Surgery for diastasis is controversial, while laparoscopic repair has rarely been reported. We describe our method of laparoscopic plication-the 'Venetian blinds' technique combined with mesh reinforcement for patients with diastasis of the recti.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 18 patients out of 35 that presented to us were operated. The common indications were cosmesis and discomfort while performing normal activities. Laparoscopic plication with the 'Venetian blinds' technique of the diastasis with prosthetic reinforcement was performed for all cases.

RESULTS

The mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.6 kg/m(2) (range 25-32.2) and obese patients had a larger IRD. The mean operating time was 113 min (range 72-154). Minor complications were present in five (27.77%) patients. The recurrence rate after 6-48 months follow up was 0% in this series.

DISCUSSION

Even though surgery for diastasis is controversial, we advocate repair for cosmesis and restoring function of the recti muscles. Our 'Venetian blinds' technique provides a solid repair and reduces the risk of seroma. The use of a prosthesis for the repair is mandatory to prevent recurrence. The adequacy of repair was assessed by measuring the IRD preoperatively and postoperatively with computed tomography (CT) scan. Laparoscopy provides all of the benefits of minimal access surgery.

Diastasis recti: clinical anatomy

BACKGROUND

Enduring diastasis repair is one of the yardsticks by which a successful abdominoplasty is measured, because the presence and size of diastasis recti are thought to be reliable indicators of abdominal wall laxity and protrusion. The author's study of the "normal" anatomy of diastasis challenges these concepts about diastasis recti.

METHODS

Ninety-two consecutive abdominoplasty patients, in whom intraoperative measurements of the linea alba were taken, were included in this study. The degree of abdominal wall protrusion was quantified by estimating the intra-abdominal fat volume in the upright patient as large, medium, or small.

RESULTS

The most striking anatomical finding was that the linea alba has a limited range of stretch, most commonly between 1 and 2 inches, regardless of the extent of the abdominal girth. Moreover, eight patients with diastasis did not manifest abdominal protrusion, and in five patients, diastasis was absent, although a significant protrusion was present. Also, the site of the widest diastasis (supraumbilical/infraumbilical) frequently did not correspond to the site of the protrusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to current thought, abdominal wall protrusions are caused by the stretching of the entire abdominal wall and not only the linea alba. Thus, significant abdominal wall protrusions may occur without diastasis and flat abdomens may exhibit a diastasis. Abdominal protrusion should replace diastasis as the prime indicator of abdominal wall laxity; stretching and the decision to perform diastasis repair should be influenced primarily by the evaluation of the protrusion rather than the diastasis.

Ultrasonography for measuring rectus abdominis muscles diastasis

PURPOSE

Preoperative imaging evaluation may be useful for determining the position of recti abdominis muscles before their correction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography to measure the width of rectus abdominis muscle diastasis.

METHODS

Rectus diastasis was measured by ultrasonography preoperatively in 20 females. Rectus diastasis was measured in seven levels along the anterior rectus sheath by ultrasound after sustained deep inspiration and after expiration. Rectus diastasis, at the same levels, was also measured after its exposition during abdominoplasty by two independent observers, using a surgical compass. These values were compared using Wilcoxon's statistical text, for non independent values.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the values obtained by ultrasound and those measured during surgery in the supra-umbilical levels and at the level of the umbilicus. However, below the umbilicus these values differed significantly, showing smaller values in the imaging evaluation.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography is an accurate method to measure rectus diastasis above the umbilicus and at the umbilical level.

Use of a submuscular resorbable mesh for correction of severe postpregnancy musculoaponeurotic laxity: an 11-year retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The management of severe postpregnancy musculoaponeurotic laxity remains a challenge for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Several techniques have been proposed, but there is no consensus on the best treatment. The authors report the validity of their abdominoplasty method.

METHODS

From May of 1995 to May of 2006, a retrospective chart review was conducted on 52 women who underwent the authors' abdominoplasty technique. The average age was 39 years (range, 25 to 60 years). They had an average of 3.2 children (range, two to six). The average preoperative body mass index was 23.5 (range, 20 to 31.5). None of the patients included had preexisting medical conditions. The posterior rectus fascia was released and plicated at the midline. A resorbable mesh was used to reinforce the plication and to reduce the tension of the traction.

RESULTS

Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 11 years, with an average of 54 months. Complications included a bladder injury in one patient during posterior fascia release and epigastric bulging in one woman immediately after extubation. The local complications were seromas in two patients, skin flap necrosis in one smoking patient, and umbilical necrosis in one patient. Four patients required minor scar revision and liposuction under local anesthesia. There were no cases of systemic complications. No incidence of infection, dehiscence, or extrusion of the mesh was noted. All patients were completely satisfied.

CONCLUSION

The release and plication of the posterior rectus sheath associated with the use of submuscular resorbable mesh is a long-lasting and reliable procedure in multiparous women with severe myoaponeurotic laxity.

Postpartum characteristics of rectus abdominis on ultrasound imaging

This cross-sectional and partial longitudinal study aimed to characterize changes in rectus abdominis (RA) and provide reference ranges for the first year postpartum. Ultrasound scanning was used at four stages postnatally to measure cross-sectional area (CSA), thickness, width (indirectly using a shape value) and inter-recti distance (IRD). One hundred and fifteen postnatal women (though some postnatal subjects appeared in more than one postnatal group thus giving a total of 183 data points) and 69 age-matched nulliparous female controls were recruited. Postnatal subjects were studied at Day 1 (PN1; n=63) and at 2 (PN2; n=55), 6 (PN3; n=39) and 12 (PN4; n=26) months postpartum. Longitudinal data were analysed for CSA, thickness, shape (indirect width measurement) (df=67) and IRD (df=62). The mean CSA of the PN1 group was significantly larger (P<0.001) than in controls and decreased (P<0.0021) by 12 months. In all postnatal groups, RA was significantly thinner (P<0.0001, PN1-PN3; P<0.0478, PN4), wider (P<0.0001, PN1-PN3; P=0.0326, PN4) and the IRD was significantly larger (P<0.0001, PN1-PN4) than in controls. Over 2 months postpartum, RA became thicker (P=0.0003) and the width and IRD decreased (P<0.0001 and P=0.0002, respectively) but did not return to control values by 12 months. These results have implications for strength of RA postpartum and anterior abdominal wall stiffness, which together with other muscle characteristics could inform development of effective postnatal exercise programmes.

Clinical Outcome of Abdominal Wall after DIEP Flap Harvesting and Immediate Application of Abdominoplasty Techniques

BACKGROUND

Although breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is a well-known technique, few publications have reported the aesthetic outcome of the abdomen and the donor-site closure techniques utilized. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of immediate clinical application of traditional abdominoplasty techniques after DIEP flap harvesting.

METHODS

Forty-four patients underwent 48 DIEP flap breast reconstructions, with 32 immediate and four bilateral procedures. All patients underwent full abdominoplasties with some technique of musculoaponeurotic system plication. Information on age, weight, height, smoking status, comorbid medical conditions, complications, and revision surgery was collected.

RESULTS

In all patients, the anterior rectus fascia was closed by a two-layer imbrication-type closure and the rectus diastasis was corrected by a median plicature. In 36 patients (81.8 percent), a contralateral rectus plicature was performed. In 21 patients (47.7 percent), plication of the external oblique aponeurosis was performed. All patients achieved an improved abdominal contour, and 41 (93.2 percent) were satisfied with their result. Ten patients (22.7 percent) had minor complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical application of abdominoplasty techniques is feasible immediately after DIEP harvesting and must address not only skin and subcutaneous tissue but also the muscular abdominal wall. All of the musculofascial plication techniques improved the definition of the waistline. Patient selection is crucial to achieve a satisfactory outcome. The main objective is that patients safely undergo dual procedures with no increased risk and with the added aesthetic benefits at the abdominal donor site.

Lower Abdominal Bulge After Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap (DIEP) Breast Reconstruction

The etiology of lower abdominal bulge following breast reconstruction with the DIEP flap is uncertain. Most studies report an incidence that ranges from 0.7% to 5%. The purpose of this study was to review a set of factors that may predispose to a lower abdominal bulge. This was a retrospective review of 123 women who had breast reconstruction with the DIEP flap over a 4-year period. The reconstruction was unilateral in 93 women and bilateral in 30 women, totaling 153 flaps. Etiologic factors that were evaluated included patient age, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, previous abdominal operations, unilateral or bilateral reconstruction, previous childbirth, aponeurotic plication to improve the natural abdominal contour, and use of Marlex mesh. A lower abdominal bulge occurred in 5 of the 123 women (4%), 2 following 30 bilateral reconstructions (6.6%) and 3 following 93 unilateral reconstructions (3.2%). Analysis of the factors for all women demonstrated diabetes mellitus in 1 (0.8%), tobacco use in 9 (7.3%), a prior abdominal operation in 55 (44.7%), previous childbirth in 95 (77%), aponeurotic plication in 49 (40%), and use of Marlex mesh in 4 (3.3%). Statistical analysis did not show any significant association between the explanatory factors and the occurrence of a lower abdominal bulge, except for a weak trend in women who had not been pregnant (P = 0.08). The results of this study demonstrate that the occurrence of a lower abdominal bulge following the DIEP flap is a random event that can occur in anyone. Pregnancy may confer a preventative effect as the collagen fibers strengthen to overcome the stretching forces. Techniques for prevention and treatment include intraoperative assessment of the anterior rectus sheath, use of an adjuvant material for reinforcement if unstable, and vertical plication for bulge repair.

Liposuction abdominoplasty: an evolving concept

Liposuction abdominoplasty-liposuction of abdominal subcutaneous tissue deep and superficial to Scarpa's fascia, with excision of excess abdominal skin and, when indicated, plication of the anterior rectus sheath without undermining-is an effective, low-risk approach to minimizing abdominal flap undermining. The technique allows aggressive thinning and "sculpting" of full-thickness abdominal subcutaneous tissue and achieves a natural (not featureless) abdominal contour. It minimizes the creation of "dead space," which often leads to postoperative complications, as well as preserves sensory nerve and blood supply to the abdominal skin. The operation may be performed with the patient under local anesthesia, which probably diminishes the risk for deep vein thrombosis. Moreover, additional procedures can be conducted safely and the postoperative course is short, uneventful, and without restrictions; patients return to normal activity within a week or so. New evaluation criteria for abdominoplasty are discussed in this article, the most important of which is the assessment of intraabdominal fat content and its impact on surgical outcome and the decision to perform anterior rectus sheath plication. The concept of a sliding, mobile, sensate abdominal flap, created by liposuction and sustained by multiple neurovascular mesenteries, is also offered.