Rectus Muscle Re-approximation at Cesarean Delivery

The Value of Rectus Muscle Re-approximation at Cesarean Delivery

We include in our study 200 pregnant women, primigravidas, at term who underwent elective lower segment Cesarean section for the first time among the age group of 20 - 35 years.

The patients are divided randomly into two groups as follows:

• Group (A): undergoing rectus muscle re-approximation
• Group (B): not undergoing rectus muscle re-approximation

We include in our study 200 pregnant women, primigravidas, at term who underwent elective lower segment Cesarean section for the first time among the age group of 20 - 35 years.

The patients are divided randomly into two groups as follows:

• Group (A): undergoing rectus muscle re-approximation
• Group (B): not undergoing rectus muscle re-approximation
• Examination for diastasis recti abdominis is done for all included patients before delivery, at 6 weeks, and 6 months postpartum. The women are tested in a standardized supine position with arms crossed over the chest. They are instructed to perform an abdominal crunch till the shoulder blades are off the bench. Then we measure the inter-recti distance. If there is no separation or separation ˂ 2 finger breadths so, there is no diastasis recti abdominis. But if the separation is more than 2 finger breadths or more than 4.5 cm so, this is considered diastasis recti abdominis.

The same surgical techniques are used for both groups. All women underwent Pfnannenstiel incision under general or spinal anaesthesia, with a combination of sharp and blunt dissection to open the abdomen. The rectus muscles are dissected off the fascia, and the muscles are separated in the midline by pulling. Then the uterus is opened followed by fetal and placental extraction. The transverse lower uterine segment incision is closed in two layers of continuous Vicryl number 1 suture. The parietal peritoneum is closed using a continuous absorbable suture. In group (A): rectus muscle re-approximation is done by 3 interrupted sutures, but muscle is not closed in the other group. The rectus sheath is sutured using continuous absorbable sutures. Finally, skin is sutured with subcuticular sutures with Vicryl Rapide.

Inclusion Criteria:

• primigravida
• undergoing elective Cesarean section

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with history of any pelvic or abdominal surgery those having any medical disorder with pregnancy patients with BMI ≥ 40 chronic analgesia use multiple pregnancies