Generality
Abdominal diastasis is the excessive separation of the right side from the left side of the rectus abdominis muscle.
Episodes of abdominal diastasis generally affecting newborns and pregnant women.
In the first case, the condition is due to incomplete development of the rectus abdominis muscle; in the second case, however, it is due to the stretching of the rectus abdominis muscle, operated from the inside by the continuously growing uterus.
The hallmark of abdominal diastasis is a longitudinal crest, which runs from the xiphoid process of the sternum to the navel.
Figure: rectus abdominis and linea alba. - From the site: www.ipphysio.com
A physical examination is usually sufficient for a correct diagnosis of abdominal diastasis.
In most cases, abdominal diastasis resolves spontaneously without any treatment. However, in some cases the intervention of the surgeon may be indispensable. In the case of newborns, the surgical treatment consists of an umbilical or ventral hernia; in the case of pregnant women, the surgical operation consists in the abdominoplasty.
