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Frontiers in Physiology 2024To compare the inter-rectus distance (IRD), rectus abdominis thickness (RAT), and stiffness in women during pregnancy and postpartum and identify the risk and protective...
OBJECTIVES
To compare the inter-rectus distance (IRD), rectus abdominis thickness (RAT), and stiffness in women during pregnancy and postpartum and identify the risk and protective factors affecting diastasis recti abdominis (DRA).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 171 pregnant women who volunteered to participate in this study were recruited. Using an ultrasonographic diagnostic instrument with shear wave elastography function, IRD, RAT and the Young's modulus of the rectus abdominis muscles were measured at 12 weeks, 37 weeks of pregnancy, and 6 weeks postpartum.
RESULTS
The IRD at 37 weeks was significantly higher than that at 12 weeks and then decreased at 6 weeks postpartum, but it was still higher than that at 12 weeks ( < 0.001). RAT and Young's modulus decreased significantly at 37 weeks compared with those at 12 weeks and then recovered at 6 weeks postpartum, but they were lower than those at 12 weeks ( < 0.001). IRD at 12 weeks was significantly higher in multiparae than in primiparae ( < 0.001). Moreover, positive correlation between the RAT and Young's modulus of rectus abdominis muscles at 12 and 37 weeks of gestation and 6 weeks postpartum ( < 0.001) was observed. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the regression equation was significant (f = 24.856, < 001).
CONCLUSION
Our study identified differences in IRD, thickness and stiffness of the rectus abdominis muscle between early and advanced pregnancy and the postpartum period. The risk and protective factors of DRA may guide pregnant women's protection and treatment.
PubMed: 38860113
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1382982 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2024Simulations of human-technology interaction in the context of product development require comprehensive knowledge of biomechanical behavior. To obtain this knowledge...
Simulations of human-technology interaction in the context of product development require comprehensive knowledge of biomechanical behavior. To obtain this knowledge for the abdomen, we measured the continuous mechanical responses of the abdominal soft tissue of ten healthy participants in different lying positions anteriorly, laterally, and posteriorly under local compression depths of up to 30 mm. An experimental setup consisting of a mechatronic indenter with hemispherical tip and two time-of-flight (ToF) sensors for optical 3D displacement measurement of the surface was developed for this purpose. To account for the impact of muscle tone, experiments were conducted with both controlled activation and relaxation of the trunk muscles. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to monitor muscle activation levels. The obtained data sets comprise the continuous force-displacement data of six abdominal measurement regions, each synchronized with the local surface displacements resulting from the macro-indentation, and the bipolar sEMG signals at three key trunk muscles. We used inverse finite element analysis (FEA), to derive sets of nonlinear material parameters that numerically approximate the experimentally determined soft tissue behaviors. The physiological standard values obtained for all participants after data processing served as reference data. The mean stiffness of the abdomen was significantly different when the trunk muscles were activated or relaxed. No significant differences were found between the anterior-lateral measurement regions, with exception of those centered on the linea alba and centered on the muscle belly of the rectus abdominis below the intertubercular plane. The shapes and areas of deformation of the skin depended on the region and muscle activity. Using the hyperelastic Ogden model, we identified unique material parameter sets for all regions. Our findings confirmed that, in addition to the indenter force-displacement data, knowledge about tissue deformation is necessary to reliably determine unique material parameter sets using inverse FEA. The presented results can be used for finite element (FE) models of the abdomen, for example, in the context of orthopedic or biomedical product developments.
PubMed: 38854855
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1384062 -
BMC Anesthesiology Jun 2024Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is commonly used for pain control in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, significant pain persists,... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block with or without rectus sheath block in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is commonly used for pain control in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, significant pain persists, affecting patient recovery and sleep quality on the day of surgery. We compared the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided TAP block with or without rectus sheath (RS) block in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy using the visual analog scale (VAS) scores.
METHODS
The study was registered before patient enrollment at the Clinical Research Information Service (registration number: KCT0006468, 19/08/2021). 88 American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status I-III patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were divided into two groups. RS-TAP group received right lateral and right subcostal TAP block, and RS block with 0.2% ropivacaine (30 mL); Bi-TAP group received bilateral and right subcostal TAP block with same amount of ropivacaine. The primary outcome was visual analogue scale (VAS) for 48 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the use of rescue analgesics, cumulative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) consumption, patient satisfaction, sleep quality, and incidence of adverse events.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in VAS score between two groups for 48 h postoperatively. We found no difference between the groups in any of the secondary outcomes: the use of rescue analgesics, consumption of IV-PCA, patient satisfaction with postoperative pain control, sleep quality, and the incidence of postoperative adverse events.
CONCLUSION
Both RS-TAP and Bi-TAP blocks provided clinically acceptable pain control in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, although there was no significant difference between two combination blocks in postoperative analgesia or sleep quality.
Topics: Humans; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; Female; Male; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Nerve Block; Middle Aged; Pain, Postoperative; Abdominal Muscles; Ropivacaine; Adult; Anesthetics, Local; Pain Measurement; Rectus Abdominis; Patient Satisfaction; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; Aged
PubMed: 38851689
DOI: 10.1186/s12871-024-02590-x -
Medicine Jun 2024Stair-climbing (SC) is an essential daily life skill, and stair-climbing exercise (SCE) serves as a valuable method for promoting physical activity in older adults. This... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of various stair-climbing exercises on functional mobility and trunk muscle activation in community-dwelling older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Stair-climbing (SC) is an essential daily life skill, and stair-climbing exercise (SCE) serves as a valuable method for promoting physical activity in older adults. This study aimed to compare the impact of SCEs with heel contact (HC) and heel off (HO) during SC on functional mobility and trunk muscle (TM) activation amplitudes in community-dwelling older adults.
METHODS
In the pilot randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly allocated to either the HC group (n = 17; mean age 75.9 ± 6.3 years) or the HO group (n = 17; mean age 76.5 ± 4.6 years). The HC participants performed SCE with the heel of the ankle in contact with the ground, while the HO participants performed SCE with the heel of the ankle off the ground during SC. Both groups participated in progressive SCE for one hour per day, three days per week, over four consecutive weeks (totaling 12 sessions) at the community center. We measured timed stair-climbing (TSC), timed up and go (TUG), and electromyography (EMG) amplitudes of the TMs including rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominus and internal oblique abdominals (TrA-IO), and erector spinae (ES) during SC before and after the intervention.
RESULTS
Both groups showed a significant improvement in TSC and TUG after the intervention (P < .01, respectively), with no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference in the EMG activity of the TMs between the groups after the intervention. The amplitude of TMs significantly decreased after the intervention in both groups (P < .01, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Both SCE methods could improve balance and SC ability in older adults while reducing the recruitment of TMs during SC. Both SCE strategies are effective in improving functional mobility and promoting appropriate posture control during SC in older adults.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Male; Pilot Projects; Female; Stair Climbing; Independent Living; Electromyography; Aged, 80 and over; Torso; Muscle, Skeletal
PubMed: 38847683
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038446 -
Eplasty 2024Abdominal donor site complications in bilateral pedicled transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) have been a concern when compared with bilateral deep inferior...
BACKGROUND
Abdominal donor site complications in bilateral pedicled transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) have been a concern when compared with bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. This study aimed to assess the strength, endurance, and motor control in patients undergoing DIEP and TRAM flaps.
METHODS
A prospective, cohort study was performed at a single institution including patients who underwent pedicled TRAM and DIEP flap reconstruction after mastectomy from August 2017 to August 2018. Patients underwent pre- and postoperative testing involving rectus abdominis, prone plank, side bridge, and trunk flexor tests. Descriptive analyses and multivariate linear regressions were performed.
RESULTS
The final analysis included a total of 9 patients, 4 of whom underwent TRAM flap reconstruction while 5 underwent DIEP flap reconstruction. The tests were not statistically significant between the TRAM versus DIEP groups, including rectus abdominis mean time decrease (0.25 vs 0.60 sec, = .51), prone plank time increase (1.38 vs 1.38 sec, = .51), right side bridge time increase (7.54 sec vs 32.15 sec, = 1.00), left side bridge time increase (2.14 vs 44.5 sec, = .37), and trunk flexor time decrease (4.68 vs 1.68 sec, = .44). Overall complications were similar between the 2 groups.
CONCLUSIONS
No significant difference in abdominal donor site morbidity was found when comparing the 2 groups. This article provides a point of conversation with patients when discussing available reconstruction options.
PubMed: 38846507
DOI: No ID Found -
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.... Jun 2024Free flap monitoring is more difficult in patients with dark skin because ischemia and congestion can be masked by pigmentation. For this reason, adjunct methods such as...
BACKGROUND
Free flap monitoring is more difficult in patients with dark skin because ischemia and congestion can be masked by pigmentation. For this reason, adjunct methods such as cutaneous near-infrared spectroscopy are of elevated importance in patients with highly pigmented skin. The purpose of this experiment is to determine if ViOpitx T.Ox performance is affected by cutaneous pigmentation.
METHODS
Swine with naturally occurring areas of nonpigmented and pigmented skin were used. Pigmentation of each animal was assessed using spectrophotometry and histopathology. During normoxemia, tissue oxygenation (StO) measurements were taken of nonpigmented and pigmented skin using the T.Ox device. A bicolor pedicled rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was raised, and T.Ox probe was adhered to adjacent areas of opposite coloration on the same flap. StO was measured continuously during reversible episodes of flap ischemia and congestion (n = 4 swine, n = 6 flaps).
RESULTS
There was not a significant difference between baseline StO values of nonpigmented (49% ± 7.9%) and pigmented skin (47% ± 6.2%). The absolute change in StO was significantly larger during both ischemia (6%) and congestion (16%) in nonpigmented skin compared with adjacent pigmented skin.
CONCLUSIONS
T.Ox detects flap ischemia and congestion in both highly pigmented and nonpigmented skin. However, surgeons need to be aware that StO changes related to complete flap ischemia or congestion may be much more subtle than what is seen in nonpigmented skin. This study establishes a novel internally controlled porcine model that isolates the impact of skin pigmentation when assessing cutaneous devices measuring tissue oxygenation.
PubMed: 38841531
DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005865 -
Clinical Interventions in Aging 2024Muscle ultrasound has emerged as a promising method in the diagnostic work-up of sarcopenia. The objective of this scoping review was to explore the validity of muscle... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Muscle ultrasound has emerged as a promising method in the diagnostic work-up of sarcopenia. The objective of this scoping review was to explore the validity of muscle ultrasound against the latest sarcopenia definitions among older adults.
METHODS
We adhered to the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews. A systematic search of databases was performed by two independent reviewers. All articles comparing the performance of ultrasound to an internationally acknowledged sarcopenia definition among older adults (≥60 years) and published between 2019/01/01 (the year updated sarcopenia definitions were introduced) and 2023/11/15 were included. Data were extracted and collated by muscle and muscle parameters.
RESULTS
Out of 2290 articles screened, six studies comprising 24 validity tests among a total of 1619 older adults (mean age 74.1 years, 52.2% female) were included. The validity tests investigated the rectus femoris (n = 7), biceps brachii (n = 5), gastrocnemius medialis (n = 4), tibialis anterior (n = 4), soleus (n = 3), and rectus abdominis (n = 1). The parameter muscle thickness (MT) (n = 14) was most commonly measured. The latest European and Asian sarcopenia definitions (EWGSOP2, AWGS2) were applied as reference standards in four validity tests each. None of the studies used the Sarcopenia Definition and Outcome Consortium (SDOC) criteria. The highest area under the curve AUC (0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-0.94) was found for the muscle thickness of the rectus femoris muscle. Due to substantial heterogeneity among the studies, pooling of data using a meta-analytic approach was not feasible.
CONCLUSION
Limited number of studies have examined the validity of muscle ultrasound for diagnosing sarcopenia based on recent definitions among older adults. Thereby, muscle thickness of the rectus femoris showed promising results regarding validity. Further studies are needed to investigate the validity of key muscles and to validate muscle ultrasound among older hospitalized patients.
Topics: Humans; Sarcopenia; Ultrasonography; Aged; Muscle, Skeletal; Female; Male; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 38831963
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S463917 -
Radiology Case Reports Aug 2024The Spigelian hernia is a abdominal wall hernia that originates from a discontinuity of the Spigelian fascia located lateral to the rectus abdominis muscle. It can be...
The Spigelian hernia is a abdominal wall hernia that originates from a discontinuity of the Spigelian fascia located lateral to the rectus abdominis muscle. It can be acquired in adults or congenital in newborns. In very rare cases in male it can be associated with cryptorchidism, in which case it is known as "Spigellian-Cryptorchidism Syndrome". It can be clinically highlighted with abdominal swelling wall along the semilunar line and intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis, as in all pediatric emergencies, must be timely and the method of choice is ultrasound which allows a rapid localization of the hernia breach and herniated structures. The treatment of choice is surgical with herniopexy and repositioning of the testicle into the scrotal sac, or orchipessy in cases of testicular necrosis. We describe ultrasound characteristics of Spigellian-cryptorchidism syndrome presenting with acute intestinal obstruction in a newborn.
PubMed: 38827042
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.04.080 -
Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal... Jun 2024To verify the relationship between the indicators of components of lumbar motor control and determine the factors related to the indicators to each of these components.
OBJECTIVES
To verify the relationship between the indicators of components of lumbar motor control and determine the factors related to the indicators to each of these components.
METHODS
Twenty-five healthy university students were included in the study. The lumbar spine and hip kinematic parameters of posterior/anterior pelvic tilt (mobility and smoothness), ball catching (reactivity), and forward/backward rocking (adaptive stability) were measured as indicators of lumbar motor control. Lumbar proprioception, trunk muscle strength, and lower trunk muscle thickness were also measured. Kinematic parameters of the lumbar spine and hip were measured using a small accelerometer. The data verified the relevance of indicators of lumbar motor control and the relationship with relevant factors.
RESULTS
No significant correlations were found for most lumbar motor control indicators. Lumbar proprioception and rectus abdominis muscle thickness were identified as relevant indicators of lumbar motor control.
CONCLUSIONS
Each component of lumbar motor control is independent and must be evaluated for the component whose function is required. Additionally, some components of lumbar motor control are associated with lumbar proprioception and rectus abdominis muscle thickness; thus, evaluation of these components is necessary when evaluating lumbar motor control.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Young Adult; Proprioception; Lumbar Vertebrae; Biomechanical Phenomena; Adult; Muscle Strength; Postural Balance; Lumbosacral Region; Muscle, Skeletal
PubMed: 38825996
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jul 2024Herein, we present an unexpected rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) complication due to chronic COVID-19 related cough and prolonged anticoagulation therapy. COVID-19 usually...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
Herein, we present an unexpected rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) complication due to chronic COVID-19 related cough and prolonged anticoagulation therapy. COVID-19 usually presents with respiratory symptoms, such as cough. Anticoagulants are used in severe cases of COVID-19 as well as in mechanical heart valve replacement to prevent thrombosis. However, there is a high risk of bleeding.
CASE PRESENTATION
We report a rare case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with a COVID-19 related cough persistent over two months, and was also undertaking warfarin daily for 10 years due to mechanical mitral valve replacement. Computed Tomography (CT) scan revealed retroperitoneal and rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) as well as rectus abdominis muscle rupture. She had hemorrhagic shock due to rapid hematoma expansion to the right and left flank as well as to the back. Thus, she required an emergency surgery in which the hematoma was excised and the rectus abdominis muscle was sutured. The patient was discharged and has completely recovered.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
Many factors and mechanisms contribute to the formation of the RSH and the rupture of rectus abdominis muscle, including severe cough and anticoagulants.
CONCLUSION
Although the use of anticoagulants is necessary for patients who underwent mechanical valve replacement or for COVID-19 patients as a prophylaxis of thrombotic complication, RSH should be kept in mind and carefully monitored as it may require surgical intervention in severe cases.
PubMed: 38810295
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109628