Retrorectus (sublay) versus onlay mesh repair in abdominoplasty | ||
| The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 23 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejprs.2025.431715.1450 | ||
| Author | ||
| safwat adel hegazy* | ||
| plastic surgery department, faculty of medicine, kafr elsheikh university, egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: During abdominoplasty, although suture plication of the recti muscles yields satisfactory cosmetic outcomes, it may not be sufficient for cases with severe diastasis recti or weak abdominal walls. Therefore, mesh abdominoplasty has been recommended. Although many studies have compared the onlay and sublay approaches in cases of ventral hernia, little is known about this comparison in patients with moderate or severe diastasis recti. That was the aim of our study. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 70 patients with diastasis recti undergoing abdominoplasty. Patients were equally divided into two groups (n = 35): the sublay mesh repair group (Group S) and the onlay mesh repair group (Group O). Results: While operative time was significantly longer in the sublay group (p = 0.004), that technique demonstrated shorter hospital stay duration (1.51 vs. 1.94 days, p = 0.006), shorter drainage duration (5.37 vs. 7.43 days, p < 0.001), and significantly higher patient satisfaction (p = 0.024). Complication rates were statistically comparable between the two groups, with a slight, insignificant increase in the incidence of seroma, wound infection, and chronic postoperative pain in the onlay group. Conclusion: Despite longer operative time, retrorectus mesh repair has superior outcomes compared to the onlay technique, with significantly shorter hospital stays, shorter drainage duration, and higher patient satisfaction, making it a preferred choice for mesh abdominoplasty. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Abdominoplasty; Diastasis recti; Mesh repair; Onlay; Sublay | ||
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