Does diastasis width influence the variation of the intra-abdominal pressure after correction of rectus diastasis?

Abstract

Background It has been demonstrated that there is an increase of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) after correction of rectus diastasis. Objective To evaluate the correlation between the diastasis width and IAP variation after the plication of the anterior rectus sheath. Methods Seventeen patients met the inclusion criteria and were selected. The diastasis width was measured at three levels: 3 cm above the umbilicus, 2 cm above the umbilicus, and 2 cm below the umbilicus. Rectus sheath plication was performed in two layers: the first layer with separate stitches, and the second with continuous suture. The IAP was measured at two stages: before and after the correction of rectus diastasis. The distance between the iliac spines (IS) and that between the xiphoid process and pubic symphysis (XP) were measured. The abdominal surface index (ASI) was calculated using the formula: ASI = (IS × XP)/2. This index was used to determine the individual abdominal surface. The relative diastasis coefficient (RDC) was calculated using the formula: RDC = diastasis/ASI. These measurements were correlated to the IAP variation. The results of the IAP measurements obtained in each stage and the RDC values were compared, using the Pearson's linear correlation coefficient. Results There was no statistically significant correlation between the IAP variation and the RDC values at the three levels studied. Conclusions The diastasis width does not interfere with the increase of the IAP when a plication of the anterior aponeurosis is performed.