The normal width of the linea alba in cadavers – a parameter to define rectus diastasis

Year 2021, Volume: 15 Issue: 2, 132 - 136, 31.08.2021

Marcus Vinicius Jardini Barbosa Adelio De Lima Dias Isabela Bauti Ivo Peixoto Barbosa Jr Fabio Xerfan Nahas Lydia Masako Ferreira

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the width of the linea alba in cadavers with no abdominal wall defects.
Methods: Fifty-three fresh adult male cadavers were dissected. The cadavers were placed supine and a xiphopubic incision was made, exposing the myoaponeurotic layer. Two horizontal lines were marked, at 3 cm superiorly and 2 cm inferiorly to the umbilicus, to measure the distance between the recti muscles. Measurements were performed with a digital pachymeter. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test for 2 independent means where the considered p value was less than 5%.
Results: The normality test of the sample revealed no significant variations. The average length of the linea alba and recti muscles were similar (33.02 cm). The mean values for the width of the rectus muscles were 7.37 cm on the right side and 6.84 cm on the left side with no statistical significance between these values (p=0.479). The mean values of the width of the linea alba of the 53 cadavers were 2.17 cm at the supraumbilical level and 1.51 cm at the infraumbilical level; comparing these, a statistically significant difference was observed, with higher values for the supraumbilical level (p=0.034).
Conclusion: The width of the alba line was greater at the supraumbilical level and the right abdominal rectus muscle was wider than the left.

Keywords

abdomen, anatomy, anthropometry, cadaver, rectus abdominis

Supporting Institution

UNIVERSITY OF FRANCA

Project Number

001/2021

References

• Digilio MC, Capolino R, Dallapiccola B. Autosomal dominant transmission of nonsyndromic diastasis recti and weakness of the linea alba. Am J Med Genet A 2008;146:254–6.
• Mendes DA, Nahas FX, Veiga DF, Mendes FV, Figueiras RG, Gomes MC, Ely PB, Novo NF, Ferreira LM. Ultrasonography for measuring rectus abdominis muscles diastasis. Acta Cir Bras 2007;22:182–6.
• Rett MT, Araújo FR, Rocha I, Da Silva RA. Diástase dos músculos reto abdominais no puerpério imediato de primíparas e multíparas após o parto vaginal. Physical Therapy and Research Journal (Revista de Fisioterapia e Pesquisa) 2012;19:236–41.
• Nahas FX, Ferreira LM, Augusto SM, Ghelfond C. Long-term follow-up correction of rectus diastasis. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005;115:1736–41.
• Barbosa MV, Nahas FX, Garcia EB, Ayaviri NA, Juliano Y, Ferreira LM. Use of the anterior rectus sheath for abdominal wall reconstruction: a study in cadavers. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 2007;41:273–7.
• Nahas FX. An aesthetic classification of the abdomen based on the myoaponeurotic layer. Plast Reconstr Surg 2001;108:1787–95.
• Barbosa MV, Nahas FX, de Oliveira Filho RS, Ayaviri NA, Novo NF, Ferreira LM. A variation in the component separation technique that preserves linea semilunaris: a study in cadavers and a clinical case. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2010;63:524–31.
• Nahas FX, Augusto SM, Ghelfond C. Nylon versus polydioxanone in the correction of rectus diastasis. Plast Reconstr Surg 2001;107:700–6.
• Beer GM, Chuster A, Seifert B, Manestar M, Mihic-Probst D, Weber SA. The normal width of the linea alba in nulliparous women. Clin Anat 2009;22:706–11.
• Gilleard WL, Brown JMM. Structure and function of the abdominal muscles in primigravid subjects during pregnancy and the immediate postbirth period. Phys Ther 1996;76:750–62.
• Nahas FX, Ferreira LM, Mendes JA. An efficient way to correct recurrent rectus diastasis. Aesth Plast Surg 2004;28:189–96.
• Nahas FX, Barbosa MV, Ferreira LM. Factors that may influence failure of the correction of the musculoaponeurotic deformities of the abdomen. Plast Reconstr Surg 2009;124:334.
• Saldanha OR, Azevedo SF, Delboni PS, Saldanha Filho OR, Saldanha CB, Uribe LH. Lipoabdominoplasty: the Saldanha technique. Clin Plast Surg 2010;37:469–81.
• Rodrigues MA, Nahas FX, Reis RP, Ferreira LM. Does diastasis width influence the variation of the intra-abdominal pressure after correction of rectus diastasis? Aesthet Surg J 2015;35:583–8.
• Corvino A, De Rosa D, Sbordone C, Nunziata A, Corvino F, Varelli C, Catalano O. Diastasis of rectus abdominis muscles: patterns of anatomical variation as demonstrated by ultrasound. Pol J Radiol 2019;84:e542–8.