Symptomatic Diastasis Rectus Abdominis in Children: Review of Current Management Options and Presentation of a Novel Minimally Invasive Epifascial Repair Technique

Abstract

Several surgical techniques are available for an adult patient collective with diastasis recti. Only few research papers addresses the treatment options of diastasis of the rectus abdominis in children. In this case series, we present a new technique of epifascial repair as a novel possibility in successfully repairing defects of the anterior abdominal wall using minimally invasive surgery. In this case series, we present an epifascial repair technique for patients with a diastasis recti with a dehiscence cranial of the umbilicus. Four pediatric patients with symptomatic rectus diastasis were treated with this new surgical technique. All procedures were conducted successfully, and no recurrence was observed in the follow up. All patients showed clinical regression of the rectus diastasis without any postoperative abdominal wall protrusion and good improvement of the symptoms. Intraoperative intraperitoneal air loss, postoperative scar keloid, thermal lesions due to Ultracision and one seroma/hematoma after the removal of the drain were minor complications observed during the follow-up.