Reconstuctive strategy of the defect of anterior rectus fascia and rectus abdominus muscle / 中华医学美学美容杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To discuss the reconstuctive strategy of the defect of anterior rectus fascia and rectus abdominus muscle in the clinical practice.Methods:Between November 2009 and Janurary 2020, clinical data of 24 female patients that underwent 29 anterior rectus fascia and rectus abdominus muscle reconstructions of defect were reviewed retrospectively. The median age was 42.5 years (range, 35-60 years), including 20 breast reconstructions, 2 pelvic reconstructions, 1 thoracic defect after tumor resection and 1 abdominal defect after tumor resection. According to the location and size of the anterior rectus fascia and rectus abdominus muscle defect, three reconstructive methods were applied 6 direct clousres were applied if the width of defect was less than half of the anterior rectus fascia, 21 polypropylene mesh onlay reconstructions were applied for which the width of defect was or more than half of the anterior rectus fascia, and 2 direct suture closure were applied for the simple rectus abdominus muscle defect.Results:All the patients healed eventfully without abdominal wound complications, such as infection, hematoma, dehiscence. The patients were followed up for a median period of 30 months (range, 5-126 months). 1 patient died of breast cancer recurrence and matastasis at 36 months postoperatively. No patient developed a mesh infection or required mesh removal secondary to infection or foreign body reaction. There was no abdominal wall hernia, 1 patient developed abdominal bulge without further treatment because of no abdominal wall discomfort.Conclusions:The key of successful operation is different reconstructive methods applied to reconstruct the integrity and stability of abdominal wall, based on the location and size of the anterior rectus fascia and rectus abdominus muscle defect.