Assessment of videoendoscopy-assisted abdominoplasty for diastasis recti patients

The objective of this retrospective analysis was to assess the treatment of endoscope abdominoplasty for diastasis recti deformity patients. From January 1999 to January 2011, 88 patients ranging from 35 to 46 years in age were treated with videoendoscopy-assisted minimally invasive surgery. All patients were Asian. Early (< 3 months) and late (> 6 months) complications were assessed throughout a follow-up period of up to 66 months. Observations were conducted at the end of three weeks, six months, and 66 months. Early on, all patients experienced numbness with local paresthesia (100%) closely after treatment, and reported the feelings to subside by six months post-treatment. Four patients (4.5%) experienced ecchymosis, and three patients (3.4%) were affected by seroma. One patient (1.1%) had dyspnea immediately after surgery, which recovered after oxygen (O2) administration. Only one patient (1.1%) experienced minimal skin loss, which recovered after 3 months of surgery, and there were no further complications. Hypertrophic scars were apparent in three patients (3.4%) who showed no unwanted signs or further complications after post-operative scar care. No hematoma had been reported. All complications subsided (> 6 months) postoperatively. Videoendoscopy-assisted abdominoplasty can be used for diastasis recti deformity with minimal excess skin. Our study demonstrated effects against the formation of seroma and other complications.