title: Abdominal plasty with and without plication-effects on trunk muscles, lung function, and self-rated physical function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Weight loss after obesity and pregnancy is associated with excess abdominal skin and weakness of the abdominal wall, which is assumed to cause low back pain and reduce lung function. Today, abdominoplasty is the only known method to treat excess skin, and plication is used to improve aesthetics and function alone or in addition to surgery. There is lack of evidence concerning the surgery's effect on trunk muscles, lung function, and physical function. The aim was to evaluate the effect on trunk muscle endurance, lung function and self-rated physical function after abdominoplasty with and without muscle plication.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect on trunk muscle endurance, lung function, and self-rated physical function after abdominoplasty with and without muscle plication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of 125 people were randomised to abdominoplasty with or without rectus abdominis muscle plication. Trunk muscle endurance, lung function, and self-rated physical function (disability rating index) were measured before and 1 year after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in any of the measured variables between the groups either before or after surgery. A significant decrease (p = .02) in back muscle endurance was seen after abdominoplasty without muscle plication. A significant positive effect (p = .04) in one of the activities (running) assessed by DRI was reported after abdominoplasty with muscle plication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant differences in trunk muscle endurance, lung function, or self-rated physical function were found after abdominoplasty with vs without plication. As the primary indication for surgery was excess skin and not diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles, there is a need for future trials before conclusions can be drawn of effect of abdominoplasty and plication.
authors: a Functional Area Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy, Allied Health Professionals Function , Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden.
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Wilhelmsson
authors: b Department of Surgery , Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Fagevik Olsén
authors: c Department of Plastic Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences , Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors: Trude
authors: T
authors: Staalesen
authors: c Department of Plastic Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences , Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Elander
authors: a Functional Area Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy, Allied Health Professionals Function , Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden.|d Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy , Karolinska Institutet , Huddinge , Sweden.
authors: Malin
authors: M
authors: Nygren-Bonnier
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D061645:Abdominoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010807:Physical Endurance; D057566:Self Report
keywords: Abdominal muscles; back muscles; diastasis recti; excess skin; plication