P-096 ASSESSMENT OF THE FASCIA HEALING PROCESS AFTER SUTURE PLICATION OF RECTUS DIASTASIS – MEASURED WITH ULTRASOUND AT ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR MONTHS FOLLOWING SURGERY

Abstract

Abstract Aim Surgical repair of postpartum rectus diastasis (RD) has proven to provide functional improvements. Several different repair techniques have been described. There is no consensus regarding postoperative management and rehabilitation regimes varies. The purpose of this observational prospective cohort study was to follow and to better understand the healing process of the reconstructed linea alba with the aim to optimize the postoperative rehabilitation. Material and method Forty-five patients with RD operated with a standardized plication using absorbable suture material were included consecutively. All participants underwent a standardized postoperative rehabilitation program and were followed with ultrasonography examinations of the healing abdominal wall midline at one, two, three and four months after surgery. Interpretation of the ultrasound findings were defined by a specialist radiologist. The diameter of the duplicate was measured until it was totally contracted. The linea alba was considered totally regenerated when the anterior and the posterior lining were observed parallel. Results Early results showed that the duplicate had shrunk and the linea alba was totally recreated in 82.2% at the four-month examination. Corresponding numbers for the three, two and one-month examinations were 15.6%, 0%, and 0%. A preoperative inter-recti distance exceeding five centimeters showed a tendency to prolong the healing process. Conclusion The fascia healing time following a standardized suture repair was completed within four months in 4/5 of this cohort of postpartum women undergoing a RD repair. The findings can contribute to design an optimized rehabilitation regime following RD repair.