Is there a difference between the terms muscle repair and internal corset?

The abdominal wall is composed of two major components: muscle and fascia. Muscle increases tone with physical fitness. However, fascia is damaged, in women, after pregnancies. Both contribute to the mechanical strength of the abdominal wall. At the time of tummy tuck, muscle is not repaired. However, the fascia envelope surrounding the muscle is repaired and that makes the muscle stronger by LaPasse's Law. The muscle is returned to a more normal length. There is a difference between abdominoplasty and abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. Mesh is used to create an internal corset that extends from side to side at the level approximately 1 inch above the umbilicus. This changes the capacity of the abdominal cavity and complies with the abdominal wall, results in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight. I recommend this technique on women who are not planning future pregnancies.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

The abdominal wall should be reconstructed anatomically by correcting diastasis which consists of stitches that pull the muscles together in the midline. A nonanatomic corset or undue tightening has the potential to create undue and prolonged abdominal pain, prolonged recovery, increased abdominal compartment pressure, reduced lung expansion, increased pressure on the pelvic venous structures and implications on DVT.

All of these terms generally mean the same thing but there are variations on how it is done. If there is a muscle separation (diastasis) then it will be securely repaired with a routine tummy tuck. If the tissues are weak and/or the diastasis wide, then the addition of mesh reinforcement may be done, using Galaflex or Durasorb, or more rarely a permanent material. The term "internal corset" might imply that extra effort will be made to tighten the waistline as much as possible, but really this is always the goal.