Perception of Changes in Functional Symptoms and Psychological Aspects Related to Rectus Muscle Diastasis in Women Who Have Undergone Reparative Abdominoplasty

Abstract Background Very little is known of how urinary symptoms and low back pain related to rectus abdominis diastasis tend to change after reparative surgery. Objectives In this study we aimed to investigate these symptom changes in women who underwent abdominoplasty with diastasis correction, and also provide an overview on quality of life, psychosocial aspects, and patient satisfaction. Methods A total of 78 patients underwent abdominoplasty with diastasis repair and were included in this prospective study. Urinary symptoms and low back pain were evaluated respectively by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Modules (ICIQ-FLUTS) and the Roland–Morris questionnaire. The Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS-59) was administered for evaluation of the respondent's discomfort, as was the BODY-Q for body image and quality of life. Furthermore, the assessment of satisfaction by 3 external surgeons was obtained. Statistical analysis was conducted with Prism 9. Results Statistically significant differences between time T0 (preoperative) and T3 (3 months postoperatively) and between time T0 and T12 (12 months postoperatively) were found for the BODY-Q, ICIQ-FLUTS, and Roland–Morris scores. No correlation was found between diastasis width and the difference from T0 to T12 in any of the symptom questionnaires. A correlation between patient and surgeon satisfaction emerged. In just 9 cases the patient was dissatisfied when the expert observer was satisfied. The mean preoperative DAS-59 value of satisfied patients and satisfied surgeons was compared with that of dissatisfied patients and satisfied surgeons, and a statistically significant difference was noted. Conclusions Abdominoplasty with correction of rectus muscle diastasis may improve women’s quality of life. From the patient's point of view, voiding and incontinence symptoms and back pain tended to improve after surgery regardless of the width of the diastasis. Level of Evidence: 3 (Therapeutic)