[Functional deficits following transfer of rectus abdominis muscle]

Functional deficits after raising of a rectus abdominis muscle flap in reconstructive surgery were evaluated retrospectively in 27 patients (11 female, 16 male) and compared to 22 healthy control individuals. To test the torque of trunk flexion, the Cybex 6000 (TEF modular component) was used and subjects tested in a defined position allowing isolated sagittal flexion. For the rectus and oblique abdominal muscles, the Janda muscle function test was applied. For comparison of patients and controls, the Man and Whitney test was applied, and subgroup analyses were performed for men and women, respectively. The peak torque (relative to bodyweight) was significantly lower in patients as compared to controls, the differences being greater in men than in women, whereas clinical examination did not reveal a significant difference between either group. After autologous transplantation of the rectus abdominis muscle flap, compensation is obviously restricted to a certain degree, although the remaining deficit does not seem to represent a handicap in normal life. Thus the use of rectus abdominis muscle flaps in reconstructive surgery may be beneficial for the patient, provided the indication is precise and long-term control is possible.