Abstract
Postpartum rectus diastasis (RD) is commonly encountered in Western countries and often treated but it is a little-known clinical condition in Japan. We report two cases of postpartum RD. The first case was a 33-year-old woman with a history of two transvaginal deliveries, and the second case was a 36-year-old woman who had twins delivered by caesarean section. In both cases, significant RD was seen and laparoscopic plication was performed with nonabsorbable sutures and composite mesh reinforcement. The inter-recti distance (IRD) was measured preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively 3 cm above the umbilicus, at the umbilicus, and 2 cm below the umbilicus on computed tomography. In the first case, the IRD reduced from 26 mm, 42 mm, and 20 mm, respectively, to 10 mm, 15 mm, and 10 mm, respectively, 6 months after surgery. In the second case, IRD reduced from 26 mm, 32 mm, and 23 mm, respectively, to 16 mm, 9 mm, and 9 mm, respectively, 6 months after surgery. Both patients were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome. We report these cases with a review of the literature.
