Morphometric evaluation of the linea alba in fresh corpses.

Purpose: Diastasis recti abdominis is an increase in the distance between the medial borders of the two rectus muscles. It is most often triggered after intra-abdominal pressure increases, such as postpartum or in obesity. Most publications are based on radiological studies or are done in certain subgroups, without unanimous reference values of the distance between the rectus abdominis or standardization. Methods: Forty-one cadavers were studied. Exclusion criteria: signs of abdominal trauma, major burns, presence of scar from previous abdominal surgery, clinical signs of abdominal hernia, and identification of hernia during cadaver dissection. Linea alba (LA) length, width, and thickness were measured with a flexible tape measure and digital caliper. Anatomical landmarks were established, and subdivisions were described based on them to compare the cadavers. Results: Sex and age had little effect on LA width, thickness, or length. Obesity (compared to normal weight) was the only variable that promoted an increase in the LA width (p < 0.01). The supraumbilical length varied with the total height of the evaluated cadavers (p < 0.01), but the infraumbilical length did not (p = 0.11). Conclusion: The general statistical results of this study, regarding the evaluation of LA measurements in cadavers, showed that ethnicity, sex, and age have little effect on the width, thickness, or length of the LA. LA width differed significantly with abdominal circumference.

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.

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.

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.

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.