Diastasis recti is associated with incisional hernia after midline abdominal surgery

Purpose Incisional hernia occurs in up to 20% of patients after abdominal surgery and is most common after vertical midline incisions. Diastasis recti may contribute to incisional hernia but has not been explored as a risk factor or included in hernia risk models. We examined the association between diastasis recti and incisional hernia after midline incisions. Methods In this single-center study, all patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgery with a midline open incision or extraction site in a prospective surgical quality collaborative database between 2016 and 2020 were included. Eligible patients had axial imaging within 6 months prior to surgery and no less than 6 months after surgery to determine the presence of diastasis recti and incisional hernia, respectively. Radiographic hernia-free survival was assessed with log-rank tests and multivariable Cox regression, comparing patients with and without diastasis width > 25 mm. Results Of 156 patients, forty-four (28.2%) developed radiographic hernia > 1 cm. 36 of 85 patients (42.4%) with DR width > 25 mm developed IH, compared to 9 of 71 (12.7%) without DR (p < 0.001). Hernia-free survival differed by DR width on bivariate and multivariable Cox regression, adjusted hazard ratio: 3.87, 95% confidence interval: 1.84-8.14. Conclusion Diastasis recti is a significant risk factor for incisional hernia after midline abdominal surgery. When present, surgeons can include these data when discussing surgical risks and should consider a lower risk, off-midline approach when feasible. Incorporating diastasis into larger studies may improve comprehensive models of incisional hernia risk.

Automated summary

This study found an association between diastasis recti and incisional hernia after midline abdominal surgery. Surgeons can consider a lower risk, off-midline approach when discussing surgical risks in patients with diastasis recti.