Do Absorbable Sutures Work for Rectus Diastasis Repair in Abdominoplasty Patients?

Abstract

Abstract BackgroundThe standard treatment for rectus diastasis is rectus sheath plication during abdominoplasty. Lasting correction of diastasis is essential, but there is currently a debate as to whether absorbable or nonabsorbable rectus plication achieves a lower rate of recurrence. ObjectivesThe goal of this study is to assess long-term patient outcomes and the recurrence of rectus diastasis after plication with long-lasting absorbable sutures. MethodsA retrospective study of abdominoplasties performed by the senior author between 2018 and 2022 was performed. Only female patients with >6 months of follow-up were included. Plication of the rectus muscles was performed with a combination of interrupted, buried, figure of eight #0 polydioxanone suture and running #0 Maxon (Covidien, Mansfield, MA). Outcomes were assessed by physical examination at postoperative visits. A retrospective chart review was used to obtain demographic and perioperative information. ResultsSeventy-one patients underwent abdominoplasty with an average follow-up of 21.1 months. The average age was 43 years, and the average BMI was 27 kg/m2 ConclusionsAbdominal wall plication using a double-layered, long-lasting absorbable suture closure is a safe, reliable, and effective method to address rectus diastasis during abdominoplasty. Our technique achieved no recurrence of diastasis in any patient and a low complication profile. Level of Evidence: 3