title: Improvements in Vertebral-Column Angles and Psychological Metrics After Abdominoplasty With Rectus Plication.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Substantial fluctuations in body weight can result in diastasis recti and weakening of the connections between the lateral abdominal muscles and the rectus sheath.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors sought to determine the postural and psychological effects of abdominoplasty with vertical rectus plication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty women with substantial back and lumbar pain owing to abdominal lipodystrophy were evaluated in a prospective study. Preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively, patients underwent bidirectional radiography of the thoracic and lumbar regions. A visual analog scale (VAS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were applied to assess physical, psychological, and quality-of-life changes following surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements in posture, assessed in terms of lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and the lumbosacral angle, were observed 6 months after abdominoplasty with rectus plication. Results of the VAS and BDI indicated significant improvements in pain and quality of life, respectively. Results of the NHP indicated significant postoperative improvements in fatigue, pain, and sleep.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abdominoplasty with rectus plication improves posture by tightening the thoracolumbar fascia. In selected patients, abdominoplasty can reduce back and lumbar pain, thereby improving quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Dr Temel is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey. Dr Türkmen is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey. Dr Berberoğlu is a Plastic Surgeon in private practice in Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temel
authors.affiliation: Dr Temel is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey. Dr Türkmen is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey. Dr Berberoğlu is a Plastic Surgeon in private practice in Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: Arif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Türkmen
authors.affiliation: Dr Temel is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey. Dr Türkmen is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey. Dr Berberoğlu is a Plastic Surgeon in private practice in Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ömer
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Berberoğlu
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D061645:Abdominoplasty / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000601:surgery; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000150:complications*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000601:surgery*; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult