Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Hernia 4/2021

01-08-2021 | Diastasis Recti | Original Article

Surgical treatment of diastasis recti: the importance of an overall view of the problem

Authors: Federico Fiori, Francesco Ferrara, Davide Gobatti, Daniele Gentile, Marco Stella

Published in: Hernia | Issue 4/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

Diastasis recti (DR) is characterized by an alteration of the linea alba with increased inter-recti distance (IRD). It is more frequent in females, and when symptomatic or associated with midline hernia it needs to be surgically repaired. This retrospective study aims to demonstrate how an overall approach to DR leads to good results in terms of functional and morphological outcomes and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

From January 2018 to December 2019, 94 patients were operated for DR > 50 mm, with or without midline hernias. Three different surgical approaches were used: complete laparoabdominoplasty, laparominiabdominoplasty and minimally invasive (endoscopic) technique. QoL was assessed with the EuraHS-QoL tool.

Results

All patients were female except two males. We performed 26 endoscopic treatments (27.7%), 39 laparoabdominoplasties (41.5%) and 29 laparominiabdominoplasties (umbilical float procedure) (30.9%). The total median operative time was 160 min. No intraoperative complications were registered. In three (4.2%) cases, major surgical complications occurred, all after open operations. In 13 open surgery cases, vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy was used to repair the cutaneous ischemic defect. No recurrence was registered to date. Minimally invasive surgery showed fewer complications and lower hospital stay than the open approach. The QoL was significantly improved.

Conclusion

Our experience shows the importance of an overall view of the functional and cosmetic impairment created by DR. The surgeon should obtain an optimal repair of the function, by open or minimally invasive surgery, also considering the morphological aspects, which are very important for the patients in terms of QoL.
Literature
8.
go back to reference Ranney B (1990) Diastasis recti and umbilical hernia causes, recognition and repair. S Dak J Med 43:5–8 Ranney B (1990) Diastasis recti and umbilical hernia causes, recognition and repair. S Dak J Med 43:5–8
11.
go back to reference Seeras K, Qasawa RN, Prakash S (2020) Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, anterolateral abdominal wall. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island Seeras K, Qasawa RN, Prakash S (2020) Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, anterolateral abdominal wall. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island
20.
go back to reference Ferrara F, Fiori F, Gentile D, et al (2018) Treatment of diastasis recti abdominis with open and video-assisted approaches. In: Oral presentation at United Congress of Italian Surgical Societies. Rome, Italy Ferrara F, Fiori F, Gentile D, et al (2018) Treatment of diastasis recti abdominis with open and video-assisted approaches. In: Oral presentation at United Congress of Italian Surgical Societies. Rome, Italy
Metadata
Title
Surgical treatment of diastasis recti: the importance of an overall view of the problem
Authors
Federico Fiori
Francesco Ferrara
Davide Gobatti
Daniele Gentile
Marco Stella
Publication date
01-08-2021
Publisher
Springer Paris
Keyword
Diastasis Recti
Published in
Hernia / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 1265-4906
Electronic ISSN: 1248-9204
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-020-02252-0

Other articles of this Issue 4/2021

Hernia 4/2021 Go to the issue