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Endoscopic correction of abdominal diastasis (SCOLA methodology)

Diastasis of the abdominal muscles is a cruel diagnosis that is often heard by women after giving birth to newborns. Modern medicine can restore their confidence in their body lines and offers extremely advanced treatments. One such is the endoscopic correction of abdominal diastasis using the SCOLA method to correct detached abdominal muscles.

Diastasis of the abdominal muscles. How to check?

Abdominal diastasis is a separation of the rectus abdominis muscles that destroys the integrity of the abdominal wall. During pregnancy, the separation of the abdominal muscles is considered a normal phenomenon, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, when the fetus grows, the placenta increases and the abdominal muscles stretch. In the case of diastasis, the muscles of the left and right side separate in the middle at the white line of the abdomen.

Most of the time, a very sharp separation of the abdominal muscles is visible to the naked eye - the abdomen is slightly hanging, it swells after eating or drinking water, and sometimes it looks like during pregnancy. Unfortunately, most of the time, sports and diets do not help either. For women, diastasis eventually causes health problems - back pain, hernias appear, the pelvic floor weakens, urine is not retained, and sex life deteriorates.

However, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. Abdominal muscle examination is recommended approximately 6 months after delivery. By then, the woman's uterus is already completely cleansed, restored and has almost reached its normal size. It is important to know that the earlier you start treatment, the more effective and faster results you can expect.

Who can undergo abdominal wall plastic surgery?

Abdominoplasty can be performed in patients with diastasis recti and/or abdominal wall herniation (usually after pregnancy), but there is no or insufficient excess skin for traditional abdominoplasty.

Quite a large proportion of women who are pregnant or have given birth have separated abdominal muscles, and 33-60% of women who have given birth have permanent diastasis recti. Most often, it develops in petite women, in case of an extremely large fetus or expecting twins, after the second and third pregnancy, as well as in women with a weaker abdominal press or after cesarean section surgery.

How is a tummy tuck performed after childbirth using the SCOLA method?

SCOLA (Subcutaneous Onlay Laparoscopic Approach) is one of the newest and most effective methods for endoscopic correction of abdominal diastasis. The advantages of this technique compared to other plastic abdominal surgeries are a lower risk of complications and, most importantly, an excellent aesthetic result due to the extremely small incision and minimally invasive procedures.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia, endoscopically, with an ultrasonic scalpel through three small incisions in the lower abdomen. If there is a cesarean scar, no new scars remain (maximum incision up to 2-3 cm). Subcutaneous adipose tissue is separated endoscopically from the aponeurosis of the rectus abdominis muscle - connective tissue. In the case of a hernia, the defect of the aponeurosis is sutured, diastasis inversion is performed (separated muscles are brought together) and, if necessary, mesh plastic surgery is performed.

Abdominal wall plastic surgery is combined with other plastic surgeries. After the endoscopic correction of abdominal diastasis using the SCOLA method and after the abdomen has healed, about half of the patients, after at least 6 months, additionally undergo laser lipolysis or laser skin tightening, during which skin contraction is caused and a beautiful and flat abdomen is formed.

Postoperative period and healing

• After surgery, patients can be discharged home the next morning.
• After surgery, it is recommended to avoid physical exertion and apply compression in the abdominal area for about a month.
• After 6 months, for an even better effect, additional operations can be performed.