Bilateral nephrectomy of huge polycystic kidneys associated with a rectus abdominis diastasis and umbilical hernia

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.

Treatment Options for Abdominal Rectus Diastasis

Background: Abdominal rectus diastasis is a condition where the abdominal muscles are separated by an abnormal distance due to widening of the linea alba causing the abdominal content to bulge. It is commonly acquired in pregnancies and with larger weight gains. Even though many patients suffer from the condition, treatment options are poorly investigated including the effect of physiotherapy and surgical treatment. The symptoms include pain and discomfort in the abdomen, musculoskeletal and urogynecological problems in addition to negative body image and impaired quality of life. The purpose of this review was to give an overview of treatment options for abdominal rectus diastasis. Results: The first treatment step is physiotherapy. However, evidence is lacking on which regimen to use and success rates are not stated. The next step is surgery, either open or laparoscopic, and both surgical approaches have high success rates. The surgical approach includes different plication techniques. The recurrence and complication rates are low, complications are minor, and repair improves low back pain, urinary incontinence, and quality of life. Robotic assisted surgery might become a possibility in the near future, but data are still lacking. Conclusions: Evidence on what conservatory treatment to use is sparse, and more research needs to be done. Both open and laparoscopic surgery have shown positive results. Innovative treatment by robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery has potential, however, more research needs to be done in this area as well. An international guideline for the treatment of rectus diastasis could be beneficial for patients and clinicians.