Some Additional Data That Might Be Useful for Diastasis Recti Assessment

Background: Diastasis recti (DR) is characterized by separation of both rectus muscles and protrusion of the median bulging, but besides median bulging DR can also entail global abdominal bulging. On other note, DR classification is based on the width of divarication, but measurement values are different at rest and at effort due to muscle contraction. Aim of the study is to provide additional features concerning the type of bulging and the width of divarication. Methods: Findings were retrospectively drawn from the data prospectively collected in the records of a continuous cohort of 105 patients (89 females, 16 males) referred for diastasis and concomitant ventral hernia repair. Results: There was a median bulging alone in 45 (42.9%) cases, a global bulging alone in 18 (17.1%) cases, both types combined in 37 (35.2%) cases and no bulging in 5 (4.8%). On 55 patients with a global bulging, 51 were females. Tape measurements values of DR width were closer to the values measured on the CT scan at leg raise than at rest. The differences were significant at rest as well as at leg raise. Though the difference at rest was highly significant (p = 0.000), the difference at effort was not far from being not significant (p = 0.049). Conclusion: Besides median bulging, presence or absence of the global bulging should be included in DR assessment. The difference between width of divarication at rest and on exertion raises the question of which value should be used for DR classification. The question is worth being debated.