How often does the rectus plication rupture?

Question

I had an abdominoplasty 3 years ago. My abdomen never looked flat. The surgeon agreed to redo it and said he had to look in his notes to see if he had done the plication. I never had pain,just no results.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

It's unusual for plication to rupture. Plication may not hold up to the test of time producing more laxity but rupture is rare.

Mark Crispin, MD · Answer

Pictures would be helpful but it sounds as though your rectus was not plicated.  Let your plastic surgeon advise you of the best option.

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

I think it would be very rare for the abdominal muscle plication to spontaneously rupture without a specific traumatic event that would stress the closure. Most of the time this closure is done with permanent sutures in multiple layers. Even with good muscle plication, however, not every abdomen is completely flat after abdominoplasty. This is most often due to fullness and fat that is located inside the abdomen which can not be addressed with the procedure. Even when this mild distention is evident, there is typically a significant improvement over the pre-surgery appearance. The muscle plication is part of every standard abdominoplasty (not a mini tummy tuck), so it is curious that your surgeon would have to refer to his records to see if this was done. You may have misunderstood him. Also, if the distention is very low in the pubic area, it can sometimes be a challenge to flatten with any abdominoplasty technique. I recommend that you further discuss the situation with your surgeon to make sure that he fully understands your concerns and that you understand what options are available.

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately, after any surgery, there is a possibility that the patient (in this case, you) will be disappointed with the results. Thankfully this is not common and most patients end up very pleased. That fact, however, unfortunately does not help you. As my colleagues indicated, if your pre-operative findings suggested that you would have benefited from a muscle plication, which most women seeking abdominoplasty indeed do, then your disappointment with your outcome might be a reflection of either an incorrect preoperative assessment and treatment plan by your surgeon, or a suboptimal result from your surgery, or both. In order to determine how to best proceed, it would be wise to discuss your disappointment with your surgeon. If you are confident that he can revise your surgery to your satisfaction, then you should consider that option. Alternatively you can seek a second opinion for another board certified plastic surgeon qualified in aesthetic body contouring surgery, ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Best of luck to you.

Gaurav Bharti, MD, FACS · Answer

A rectus plication typically does not rupture. It is much more likely that you just did not have a plication procedure performed. Good luck

Victor Ferrari, MD, FACS · Answer

Unless a patient specifically requests that a rectus plication not be done, I repair all separated muscles on all tummy tucks (including mini-tucks).  In 20 years (and over 1,000 tummy tucks), I have only had 1 rectus plication rupture in a woman who was in a car wreck 4 days post-op.  In other words, it would be very rare to have a rupture.  If your abdomen was never flat, it's possible a repair wasn't done the first time.  Next time you go to your PS office, ask for a copy of the original operative note.  It should say whether or not a muscle repair was done.

Anh Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on the history you provided, your muscles may not have been brought together.  The sutures used to bring the muscles in are very strong and rupture is uncommon.  I would discuss this with your plastic surgeon and see what your options are.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Failure of an abdominal wall muscle plication done during tummy tuck surgery is rare/unusual. Given your plastic surgeon's response to your question and your memory of “no pain, no result”, it is possible that no plication was performed in your case.  Sometimes, patients benefit from additional consultations with additional board-certified plastic surgeons prior to making any decisions. Best wishes.

Scott R. Brundage, MD · Answer

A standard Abdominoplasty typically includes repair of the muscle. It is performed because most people have had a prior pregnancy that has stretched out the muscles. To truly get the best amount of flattening of the stomach, the muscle should be tightened. On occasion someone may have a lordotic spine (curvature) that makes your stomach protrude. In this case it can be difficult to make someone as flat as they want but this type of anatomy is unusual. If you did not have much pain, good chance the muscles were not tightened since this is the part of the procedure that can hurt the most. Your surgeon can confirm this from his operative note.

How often does the rectus plication rupture?

Answers (9)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

I have indents along my sides/flanks after Tummy Tuck and concerned it won't go away. Is this normal? (photos)

If your binder/spanx leave creases, is it better to use them or go without them? (photo)

2 years post op Tummy Tuck, I found that I have a seroma. What will/should happen now?

Would you recommend a tattoo to cover my tummy tuck scar? (photos)

20 months after my Tummy Tuck and I still have a pronounced mons pubis. Why has this happened and would lipo flatten this area?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS