A Modified Surgical Technique to Prevent Parastomal Hernia.

An extraperitoneal colostomy is not sufficiently effective in preventing parastomal hernias. On the basis of anatomic structures and mechanical principles, we modified this surgical technique by preserving the integrity of the posterior rectus abdominis sheath to prevent parastomal hernia, and we applied it clinically.

The prevalence and consequences of abdominal rectus muscle diastasis among Finnish women: an epidemiological cohort study.

PURPOSE: Post-pregnancy abdominal rectus diastasis (ARD) has raised attention in the field of surgery in recent years, but there is no consensus about when to consider surgery. Our aim was to find out what is the normal inter-rectus distance in fertile aged, female population in Finland and to examine whether there is a linea alba width that would predispose to diastasis-related problems after pregnancy. METHODS: For this prospective cohort study, women participating early pregnancy ultrasound in Helsinki University Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology during 1.1.2018-8.3.2019, were recruited. The width of linea alba was measured by ultrasound during the early pregnancy ultrasound. Symptoms were measured by questionnaire including Health-Related Quality of Life (RAND-36) and Oswestry Disability Index for back symptoms and disability. RESULTS: Linea alba width was measured in total of 933 women. The average inter-rectus distance (IRD) among nulliparous women was 1.81 ± 0.72 cm. After one previous pregnancy, the average linea alba width was 2.36 cm ± 0.83 cm and after more pregnancies 2.55 ± 1.09 cm. There was a positive correlation between previous pregnancies and the increased linea alba width (p = 0.00004). We did not perceive any threshold value of linea alba width that would predispose to back pain or movement control problems in this cohort, in which severe diastasis (over 5 cm) was rare. CONCLUSION: Mean inter-rectus distance in parous population exceeds stated normative values. Moderate ARD (3.0-5.0 cm) alone does not seem to explain low back pain or functional disability in population level. Severe post-pregnancy diastasis (over 5.0 cm) is rare.

Prevalence and risk factors for diastasis recti abdominis: a review and proposal of a new anatomical variation.

PURPOSE: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) or rectus diastasis is an acquired condition in which the rectus muscles are separated by an abnormal distance along their length, but with no fascia defect. To data there is no consensus about risk factors for DRA. The aim of this article is to critically review the literature about prevalence and risk factor of DRA. METHOD: A total of 13 papers were identified. RESULTS: The real prevalence of DRA is unknown because the prevalence rate varies with measurement method, measurement site and judgment criteria, but it is certainly an extremely frequent condition. Numbers of parity, BMI, diabetes are the most plausible risk factors. We identified a new anatomical variation in cadaveric dissection and in abdominal CT image evaluation: along the semilunar line the internal oblique aponeurosis could join the rectus sheath with only a posterior layer, so without a double layer (anterior and posterior) as usually described. We conducted a retrospective review of abdominal CT images and the presence of the posterior insertion only could be considered as a risk factor for DRA. CONCLUSION: Further studies with large sample size, including nulliparous, primiparous, pluriparous and men too, are necessary for identify the real prevalence.

Evaluation of functional outcomes following rectus diastasis repair-an up-to-date literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last decade rectus diastasis has gained attention as a condition that may benefit from surgery. Numerous surgical techniques have been presented but scientifically proper studies reporting functional outcome are few and evidence is incomplete. The aim of this up-to-date review is to analyse the outcomes of rectus diastasis repair in recently published papers, focusing on functional changes following surgery. METHOD: A comprehensive search in PubMed and Web of Science was performed. Suitable papers were selected using titles and abstracts with terms suggesting surgical treatment of rectus diastasis. All abstracts were scrutinised, and irrelevant studies excluded in four stages. Reports providing original data, including outcome assessment following surgery, were included. RESULT: Ten papers with a total of 780 patients were found to fulfil the search criteria. Study design, surgical procedure, follow-up time, functional outcome and assessment instruments were compiled. All included studies reported improvements in a variety of functional aspects regardless of surgical method. The outcomes assessed include core stability, back pain, abdominal pain, posture, urinary incontinence, abdominal muscle strength and quality of life. CONCLUSION: The results of this review show that surgical repair of rectus diastasis is a safe and effective treatment that improves functional disability. However, the absence of standardized instruments for assessing outcome makes it impossible to compare studies. Since indications for surgery are relative and related to core function, valid instruments for assessing indication and outcome are needed to ensure benefit of the procedure.

Surgical techniques for repair of abdominal rectus diastasis: a scoping review.

Rectus diastasis is characterized by widening and laxity of the linea alba, causing the abdominal content to bulge. Rectus diastasis is treated either conservatively with physiotherapy, or surgically, surgical treatment showing especially convincing results. The primary aim of this study was to describe surgical techniques used to correct abdominal rectus diastasis. Secondary, we wished to assess postoperative complications in relation to the various techniques. A systematic scoping review was conducted and reported according to the PRISMA-ScR statement. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched systematically. Studies were included if they described a surgical technique used to repair abdominal rectus diastasis, with or without concomitant ventral hernia. Secondary outcomes were recurrence rate and other complications. A total of 61 studies were included: 46 used an open approach and 15 used a laparoscopic approach for repair of the abdominal rectus diastasis. All the included studies used some sort of plication, but various technical modifications were used. The most common surgical technique was classic low abdominoplasty. The plication was done as either a single or a double layer, most commonly with permanent sutures. There were overall low recurrence rates and other complication rates after both the open and the laparoscopic techniques. We identified many techniques for repair of abdominal rectus diastasis. Recurrence rate and other complication rates were in general low. However, there is a lack of high-level evidence and it is not possible to recommend one method over another. Thus, further randomized controlled trials are needed in this area.

Atrophic change of the abdominal rectus muscle significantly influences the onset of parastomal hernias beyond existing risk factors after end colostomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate optimal risk factors, including atrophy of the abdominal rectus muscle (ARM) for postoperative parastomal hernia (PH) in patients who underwent end colostomy at left lower quadrant. METHODS: This single-institution retrospective study included 91 patients who underwent end colostomy between April 2004 and December 2015. The surgical and long-term outcomes among patients with or without PH were collected and compared. RESULTS: Altogether, 22 (24.2%) patients had a PH including 15 (68.2%) patients with a simultaneous incisional hernia. Univariate analysis showed that older patients (71 ± 11.9 vs. 64 ± 12.2 years, p = 0.03) and those with higher body mass index (BMI) (23.8 ± 3.8 vs. 20.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2, p < 0.001) had a statistically significant relation with having PHs. Relative atrophy of left abdominal rectus muscle was more frequently found in patients with PH (ratio of left side/right side; caudal level and medial side: 0.66 vs. 0.92, p < 0.01, caudal level and lateral side: 0.95 vs. 1.03, p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis revealed that BMI > 25 kg/m2 [odds ratio (OR) 9.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.06-39.76, p = 0.003] and atrophy of the left lower medial portion of the abdominal rectus muscle (OR 12.85, 95% CI 2.49-66.39, p = 0.002) were independent risk factors for PHs. Neither the laparoscopic approach nor the extraperitoneal route of the colostomy was proven to correlate with a lower rate of PHs. CONCLUSIONS: High BMI and atrophic change of ARM were significantly associated with PH development. Surgical techniques for prevention of atrophic change of ARM are expected to reduce the incidence of PHs.

Long-term follow-up after surgical repair of abdominal rectus diastasis: A Prospective Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal rectus diastasis can lead to functional disability. There is no consensus regarding treatment. This was a prospective study on patients randomized to surgery using either Quill self-retaining sutures or retromuscular mesh for abdominal rectus diastasis repair. The primary aim of the study was to compare long-term recurrence after surgery. Secondary aims were abdominal muscle strength, pain, and quality of life. METHODS: A total of 57 patients were eligible and 52 were investigated. A routine 1-year follow-up ruled out any patient with recurrence and this was followed up by clinical examination for recurrence and assessment of the secondary outcomes a median of 5 years (3.8-6.5 years) after surgery. Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Pain related to activity was evaluated using the Ventral Hernia Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS: No recurrence of abdominal rectus diastasis was found. Significant improvements were seen between index surgery and long-term follow-up in all domains of Short Form-36. There were no significant differences in quality of life or self-reported muscle strength between the two surgical groups. Long-term pain remained unchanged compared to that at the 1-year follow-up. "Pain this week" had decreased significantly at long-term follow-up compared to prior to surgery (mesh p = 0.009, Quill p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: No recurrence of abdominal rectus diastasis appeared. There was no difference in quality of life or long-term pain between the two surgical groups. Implantation of retromuscular mesh entails more extensive surgery implying potentially higher risk for complications. This leads us to recommend reconstruction with double-row self-retaining sutures for the repair of abdominal rectus diastasis in patients with functional disability.

Outras tendências na abdominoplastia: novo desenho e importância da lipomidiabdominoplastia na cirurgia do contorno corporal / Other trends in abdominoplasty: new design and importance of lipomid- abdominoplasty in body contour surgery

Introdução: Durante os últimos anos, os princípios cirúrgicos da abdominoplastia permaneceram inalterados. Portanto, muitos resultados observados apresentam desalinhamento, cicatrizes transversais altas e retas do abdome, levando ao posicionamento final da cicatriz umbilical a ser muito próximo da cicatriz transversal, o que dá a impressão de abdome curto. Propomos que a abdominoplastia modifique a concepção básica de sua marcação, pois acreditamos que é importante posicionar a cicatriz transversal mais baixa na região medial e púbica, e mais alta nas extremidades laterais, permitindo, no nível dos flancos, a rotação dos retalhos lombares no sentido anterior em direção inferomedial. Métodos: Foram analisados de forma retrospectiva 146 pacientes portadores de deformidades abdominais e os submetemos a lipomidiabdominoplastia, marcando com forte concavidade superior e orientando os lados da cicatriz em direção à linha transversa inferior do abdômen, 4cm equidistantes da raiz da coxa. Também associamos a lipoaspiração como um tratamento complementar ao contorno corporal. Resultados: Consideramos que os parâmetros da midiabdominoplastia são aplicáveis na maioria dos casos, obtendo resultados igualmente satisfatórios, tanto nos pacientes com flacidez e lipodistrofia abdominal supraumbilical, quanto nos pacientes com abdome em avental com importante flacidez e diástase dos retos abdominais. Conclusão: É importante determinar a área da deformidade abdominal e sua classificação, para estabelecer as estratégias do tratamento e associação de procedimentos complementares. Uma marcação mais baixa, respeitando as áreas de tratamento, permitirá uma melhor cicatriz estética e um contorno corporal harmônico, além de uma adequada colocação dos elementos: cicatriz umbilical, púbis e extremidades laterais da cicatriz abdominal transversa.

Introduction: During the last few years, the surgical principles of abdominoplasty have remained unchanged. Therefore, many patients undergoing this technique have misalignment and high and straight transverse scars of the abdomen, with the final position of the umbilical scar being very close to the transverse scar, making the abdomen seem short. We propose modifying the basic concept of marking in abdominoplasty, because we believe it is important to position the transverse scar lower in the medial and pubic region and higher at the lateral ends, allowing anterior lumbar flap rotation in an inferomedial direction. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 146 patients with abdominal defects and subjected them to lipo-mid-abdominoplasty, marking with strong upper concavity and guiding the sides of the scar towards the lower transverse line of the abdomen, 4 cm equidistant from the root of the thigh. We also define liposuction as a complementary treatment to body contouring. Results: We consider that midabdominoplasty parameters are applicable in most cases, obtaining satisfactory results both in patients with flatness and supraumbilical abdominal lipodystrophy and patients with an "apron" abdomen with considerable flaccidity and diastasis of the abdominal rectus. Conclusion: It is important to determine the area of the abdominal defect and its classification to establish treatment strategies and association with complementary procedures. A lower marking with respect to the treatment areas will allow a more aesthetic scar and a harmonic body contour as well as an adequate placement of the umbilical scar, pubis, and lateral ends of the transverse abdominal scar.

Abdominal rectus muscle pyomyositis: Report of a case and review of the literature.

Pyomyositis is an uncommon primary bacterial infection of skeletal muscles, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Predisposing factors for pyomyositis include immunodeficiency, trauma, injection drug use, concurrent infection and malnutrition. The diagnosis, staging of the disease and differential diagnosis are established by ultrasound, CT and MRI. Treatment involves surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy. We report a case of abdominal rectus muscle pyomyositis, which constitutes, as far as we know, the second reported in bibliography, while Prevotella disiens is firstly reported as causative agent.

Reconstrução torácica com retalhos do músculo reto abdominal e grande dorsal: relato de casos / Chest wall reconstruction using abdominal rectus and latissimus dorsi muscle flaps: case report

INTRODUÇÃO: A reconstrução da parede torácica ainda permanece como um dos grandes desafios da cirurgia plástica reparadora. O presente estudo tem como objetivo apresentar o relato de pacientes submetidos à reconstrução de parede torácica com a utilização de retalhos miocutâneos, após ressecções de parede por tumores/osteomielite. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos quatro pacientes, três deles portadores de osteomielite e o último apresentando-se com sarcoma, todas as afecções acometendo a parede torácica. Foram submetidos à ressecção de parede e reconstrução com retalhos miocutâneos do grande dorsal (dois casos) e reto abdominal (dois casos). RESULTADOS: Os retalhos utilizados foram suficientes para cobertura cutâneo-muscular e mantiveram boa vitalidade. Em apenas um caso, houve sofrimento parcial do retalho. Não houve recidiva precoce da doença. A estabilidade da caixa torácica foi preservada. CONCLUSÕES: A utilização dos retalhos citados no reparo dos defeitos torácicos mostrou-se satisfatória na intenção de prover revestimento cutâneo e músculo bem vascularizado, este fundamental no combate aos quadros infecciosos locais.

INTRODUCTION: Chest wall reconstruction remains one of the great plastic surgery repair challenges. The present work aims to report on cases of chest wall reconstruction using myocutaneous flaps after wall resection due to tumor/osteomyelitis. METHODS: Four patients were included, among which three presented with osteomyelitis and the other presented with sarcoma; both of these conditions affected the chest wall. Each patient underwent wall resection and reconstruction using myocutaneous flaps from the latissimus dorsi (two cases) and abdominal rectus (two cases). RESULTS: The flaps used were sufficient for skin-muscle covering and maintained good vitality. Partial flap injury occurred in one case. Chest cavity stability was preserved. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the above flaps to repair chest defects was satisfactory with the aim of covering the skin and providing well-vascularized muscles, the latter of which was fundamental to preventing local infection.

Anatomical Evaluation of Shofukukyuketsu by 3D Image Analysis / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Lower abdominal cramps, or <I>shofukukyuketsu</I> in Japanese, are thought to be one indication to use tokakujokito for the abdominal symptom of <I>oketsu</I>. To clarify the condition, anatomical analysis was performed using 3 D imaging.There were 20 women and11men entered in this study who consulted our hospital for lower abdominal pain or a sense of discomfort. Width and the thickness of the rectus muscle of the abdomen were analyzed. Moreover, gas images and feces in the intestinal tract under the abdominal wall were also observed. In addition, the presence of rectus abdominal muscle separation, or <I>shofukufujin</I> in Japanese, was evaluated. In the women, where lower abdominal cramps were a complaint, young age (53.1 ± 18.3 vs. 30.4 ± 9.8, p < 0.05), low parity (1.5 ± 1.0 vs. 0.25 ± 0.5, p < 0.05), and thickness of the abdominal rectus muscle (8.14 ± 2.5 mm vs. 12.4 ± 1.6 mm, p < 0.05) were confirmed. Also in several cases of lower abdominal cramps, feces were seen at the sigmoid colon. A significant difference was seen in the male group. Cases with lower abdominal cramps suggest involvement of local muscle spasms at the bottom of abdominal rectus muscle, which may contribute to the seemed symptom of abdominal formation. On the other hand, a mechanism different from that in women was considered in the men. This suggests that it is necessary to consider gender differences when making a Kampo diagnosis.

Anatomical Evaluation of Shofukukyuketsu by 3D Image Analysis / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Lower abdominal cramps, or <i>shofukukyuketsu</i> in Japanese, are thought to be one indication to use tokakujokito for the abdominal symptom of <i>oketsu</i>. To clarify the condition, anatomical analysis was performed using 3 D imaging. There were 20 women and11men entered in this study who consulted our hospital for lower abdominal pain or a sense of discomfort. Width and the thickness of the rectus muscle of the abdomen were analyzed. Moreover, gas images and feces in the intestinal tract under the abdominal wall were also observed. In addition, the presence of rectus abdominal muscle separation, or <i>shofukufujin</i> in Japanese, was evaluated. In the women, where lower abdominal cramps were a complaint, young age (53.1 ± 18.3 vs. 30.4 ± 9.8, p < 0.05), low parity (1.5 ± 1.0 vs. 0.25 ± 0.5, p < 0.05), and thickness of the abdominal rectus muscle (8.14 ± 2.5 mm vs. 12.4 ± 1.6 mm, p < 0.05) were confirmed. Also in several cases of lower abdominal cramps, feces were seen at the sigmoid colon. A significant difference was seen in the male group. Cases with lower abdominal cramps suggest involvement of local muscle spasms at the bottom of abdominal rectus muscle, which may contribute to the seemed symptom of abdominal formation. On the other hand, a mechanism different from that in women was considered in the men. This suggests that it is necessary to consider gender differences when making a Kampo diagnosis.