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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Using weights in abdominal exercises: electromyography response of the Rectus Abdominis and Rectus Femoris muscles.

Among persons who do regular exercises, many include abdominal exercises in their customary routine. For this, there are a growing variety of movements being created for strengthening the abdominal muscles. This work aims to know, through electromyography analysis, the action potencies of the supra and infra umbilical of the Rectus Abdominis and Rectus Femoris muscles during the execution of abdominal exercises with and without the addition of weights. Lying on the backside, seven flexing movements of the trunk--one without weight, three with 2 Kg on the neck, elbow and chest and three with 4 Kg on the same points--were executed. Nine female university students between 18 and 23 years old participated in the study. Surface electrodes were fixed to the supra and infra umbilical areas of the Rectus Abdominis and Rectus Femoris muscles. The results showed that the utilization of weights in the abdominal exercises did not appear to be effective for the Rectus Abdominis muscle since greater action potencies were only verified in the Rectus Femoris muscle. We concluded that the differences observed in the RMS were not relevant to the point of indicating the utilization of weights to improve abdominal exercises because greater action potencies were only observed in the Rectus Femoris muscle.

Action Potentials↗

The contribution of the rectus abdominis and rectus femoris in twelve selected abdominal exercises. An electromyographic study.

The influence of twelve selected abdominal exercises on the muscle action potentials (MAP) of the rectus abdominis--upper and lower portions--and rectus femoris was investigated. Twenty physical education students executed twelve exercises. The results showed that the elevation of the lower limbs from the long lying and from the forearm supported positions elicited significantly lower MAP for the upper rectus abdominis than all other exercises. Elevation of the lower limbs with the body suspended by hands and the V-sit exercises elicited significantly higher MAP for the lower rectus abdominis than all other exercises. The use of extended or flexed knees with supported or unsupported feet in a horizontal or inclined plane did not affect the MAP of the upper and lower rectus abdominis. The results for the rectus femoris showed five significantly different groups of exercises. The curl-up elicited the lowest MAP. The elevation of the lower limbs with the body suspended by hands and the sit-ups--with extended and also with flexed knees--in an inclined plane elicited the highest MAP for the rectus femoris. The results suggested that sit-ups executed with supported feet required higher MAP of the rectus femoris than sit-ups with unsupported feet, no matter whether hips and knees were extended or flexed. This trend was observed for exercises performed in an horizontal and in an inclined plane.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Experimental rectus abdominis myocutaneous and rectus abdominis myoperitoneal flaps as urinary bladder wall substitutes in miniature swine.

An experiment was performed in Yucatan miniature swine to determine the feasibility and characteristics of musculocutaneous or musculoperitoneal flaps as urinary bladder wall substitutes. In five swine, a single-pedicle skin island flap (rectus abdominis myocutaneous, RAM/C) was sutured into the bladder. In five other swine the flap was a peritoneum island (rectus abdominis myoperitoneal, RAM/P). Three swine were sham-operated controls. The patches were in place for 20 weeks, remaining viable and elastic. Inflammation, maceration, and infection were absent. Skin patch histology was unchanged. The peritoneal patches became resurfaced with uroepithelium. The sham bladder volume (ml/kg body weight) did not differ significantly from RAM/P bladder volume (p = 0.54). RAM/C bladders were slightly smaller than shams (p = 0.11) and significantly smaller than RAM/P bladders (p = 0.03). Substitution of the bladder wall with RAM patch flaps is feasible. This is an important preliminary step toward our goal of nonenteral urinary bladder wall substitution.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Innervation of the rectus abdominis muscle: implications for rectus flaps.

The usefulness of leaving lateral strips of the rectus abdominis muscle in place during a transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap procedure is questioned. Since textbooks do not agree on the course of the intercostal nerves in the rectus fascia and no precise description is given of the exact site of penetration of the nerves in the rectus muscle, six fresh cadavers were dissected. It has been observed that the nerves enter the deep face of the muscle in its middle portion. Lateral parts of the muscle are consequently denervated during a transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap, which preserves them. This has been confirmed by CT scan of the abdominal wall in 10 patients 2 to 37 months after a transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. In these patients, a progressive fibrosis and disappearance of the remaining muscle could be demonstrated. It is concluded that a partial taking of the rectus abdominis muscle does not preserve its muscular function.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Preoperative color-Doppler assessment of vascularisation of the rectus abdominis: anatomic basis of breast reconstruction with a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap--a prospective study.

The unipedicled TRAM flap is an useful alternative to breast reconstruction after mastectomy in patients who refuse mammary implants. There is however the risk of unpredictable partial skin necrosis even after rigorous surgical procedures. Certain authors have proposed color flow doppler assessment before reconstructive surgery better to identify the vascular network and optimise patient selection. We performed a prospective study in 20 outpatients in order to compare preoperative assessment of the blood supply to the abdominal flap with the operative findings. An Ultramark 9 HDI (Advanced Technology Laboratories) equipped with a high frequency (10 Mhz) linear probe was used to measure blood flow and vessel caliber in the epigastric a. and perforating vessels (localisation, number; peak flow). Despite three limiting factors (anatomic, technical, morphologic) the results obtained in this series could be used to determine the indications for a TRAM flap.

Female↗

Abdominal wall injuries: rectus abdominis strains, oblique strains, rectus sheath hematoma.

Abdominal wall injuries are reported to be less common than actually perceived by sports medicine practitioners. National Collegiate Athletic Association injury statistics for 2004-2005 cite a high of 0.71 abdominal muscle injuries per 1000 player-hours in wrestling competition to a low of 0.01 injuries per 1000 player-hours in autumn football practices. British professional soccer clubs reported an incidence of "torso" injuries of up to 7% of all injuries over the course of several seasons. Injury definition is most likely the explanation for this discrepancy. The abdominal wall muscles (rectus abdominis, external and internal obliques, and transverse abdominis) are injured by direct blows to the abdomen or by sudden or repetitive trunk movement, either rotation or flexion/extension. With the exception of the rare rectus sheath hematoma that does not self-tamponade, the treatment for these problems is nonoperative with symptoms guiding rehabilitation and return to play decisions.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Endoscopic harvest of the rectus abdominis muscle.

The rectus abdominis muscle is a versatile muscle with many applications. The use of this muscle is often limited by its considerable donor site morbidity. This study reports a minimally invasive technique to harvest the rectus abdominis muscle. The described technique has been used successfully in 5 patients who required a superiorly based flap for reconstruction of a sternal defect. All patients have had long-term flap survival and resolution of their sternal osteomyelitis. Although initially lengthy, harvest times have been less than 1 hour for the last 3 patients. Patients report minimal discomfort at their operative site. To date there have been no hernias or other complications. The rectus abdominis muscle can be harvested successfully endoscopically. With no other modification other than port site placement, this technique could be used to harvest free flaps or harvest inferiorly based rectus flaps. This technique is learned easily, is safe, and should reduce substantially the donor site morbidity associated with more traditional harvesting techniques.

Endoscopy↗

The effect of the delay phenomenon on the vascularity of rabbit rectus abdominis muscles.

The transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap has become the "gold standard" for autogenous breast tissue reconstruction. Complications are reported in 10 to 40 percent of patients undergoing this procedure, and many are related to soft-tissue necrosis secondary to ischemia. Various methods have been proposed to improve TRAM flap survival, including surgical delay of the flap. The beneficial effects of the delay phenomenon have been well established in laboratory studies and clinical evaluations. Many investigators agree that the delay phenomenon will enhance arterial inflow and venous outflow from the TRAM flap. No study has quantified the changes seen in the rectus abdominis muscle following a delay procedure. In this prospective, controlled, and blinded experiment, we evaluate the effect of a unilateral superficial inferior epigastric and deep inferior epigastric artery and vein ligation on the vascularity of the rectus abdominis muscles in rabbits. Thirty-eight rabbits underwent a left superficial inferior epigastric and deep inferior epigastric pedicle ligation as a delay procedure. The rectus abdominis muscle vasculature was then evaluated by lead oxide microangiography at 0, 5, 10, 15, 21, and 27 days following the delay procedure. Magnification (x 2) was used to count the number of vessels at the periphery of the deep inferior epigastric artery angiosomes in the microangiograms. An increase in the number of vessels from day 0 to day 27 was seen on both the ligated and nonligated sides in all the following: the number of large (> 0.5 mm) "choke" vessels and total number of vessels (all sizes) crossing the abdominal wall midline and the total number of vessels (all sizes) at the medial, superior, and lateral aspects of the right and left deep inferior epigastric artery angiosomes. A statistically significant increase in these vessels was not seen until day 21. The effect of the delay phenomenon was significantly greater on the ligated side compared with the nonligated side. The areas of the rectus abdominis muscles that were relatively more ischemic following left deep inferior epigastric pedicle ligation (medial aspect of the left deep inferior epigastric artery angiosome) showed greater increases in vascularity with the delay procedure than did areas of lesser ischemia (lateral aspect of the right deep inferior epigastric artery angiosome).

Angiography↗

Architectural design, fiber-type composition, and innervation of the rat rectus abdominis muscle.

The rectus abdominis muscle is architecturally compartmentalized by tendinous intersections and is supplied by multiple thoracic nerves. In this study, the rectus abdominis of the rat has been qualitatively and quantitatively examined with regard to muscle dimensions, fiber organization, fiber-type composition, and innervation. The muscle exhibits architectural heterogeneity and different patterns of innervation among its thoracic, epigastric, and hypogastric parts. The epigastric part, adherent to the rectus sheath via tendinous intersections, represents relatively simple design. It is formed by serially arranged compartments with shorter fibers, compared with the other parts. These compartments are segmentally supplied by thoracic nerves. The hypogastric part is more complex, forms an interdigitation of muscular slips, and has segmental distribution of thoracic nerves in mediolateral direction. The thoracic part much differs from the other parts. It has smaller cross-sectional areas, compartments composed of abundant nonspanning fibers with intrafascicular termination, and non-segmental distribution of thoracic nerves. In addition to these craniocaudal specializations among the three parts, the muscle exhibits mediolateral differences in fiber-type composition. Slow-twitch oxidative fibers are more densely distributed in the medial half region than the lateral, whereas fast-twitch glycolytic fibers follow an inverse pattern. The mediolateral differences in fiber-type composition as well as the craniocaudal specializations in architectural design and innervation imply regionally differentiated recruitments of the muscle in various behaviors.

Abdominal Muscles↗

[Anatomo-radiologic correlations in spontaneous hematoma of the rectus abdominis muscles].

PURPOSE: Rectus sheath hematomas are a frequent but sometimes misdiagnosed disease in patients under anti-coagulative drugs, hemodialysis, or simply in the elderly. The most frequent localization is in the lower part of the abdomen: the explanation lies in the anatomy of the abdominal wall, especially in the arcuate line of the rectus sheath. Aim of this work is to explain the reason of the almost constant location correlating the anatomy with the CT features. ANATOMIC CONSIDERATIONS: The rectus abdominis muscle lies between the aponeuroses of the transverse and oblique muscles which form the so called rectus sheath. This arrangement is found from the costal arch to a level approximately between the umbilicus and the pubic symphisis, where the rear layer of the rectus sheath ends with a curved edge, called the arcuate or semicircular line of Douglas. Beneath this line the aponeuroses of the three muscles pass in front of the rectus which is separated from the peritoneum only by the fascia trasversalis, a thin connective layer between the rectus and the preperitoneal fat. In this lower aspect of the muscle the perforating branches of the inferior epigastric artery running in the preperitoneal fat may rupture causing a large hematoma widely spreading in this loose space. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 11 cases of rectus sheath hematoma diagnosed over 5 years were reviewed. They were referred to US because of a rapidly growing palpable mass or painful swelling of the abdominal wall with acute anemia. Sonography was performed in 11 patients and CT in 7. RESULTS: 10 hematomas were located in the lower third of the rectus muscle below the arcuate line in the pelvis, 1 was in the upper third of the muscle: the vast majority of pelvic hematomas is easily accounted for by the peculiar anatomy of the region. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of hematoma of the rectus abdominis, sometimes misleading, should be included as a differential in all the patients who present with acute abdominal pain and blood loss. The anatomy of abdominal wall correlates well with CT findings and explains the reason why most hematomas are found in the lower third of the muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis, whether clinical or based on imaging findings, needs accurate pathoanatomic knowledge of the anterior abdominal wall. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed (by US or CT) patients should be treated conservatively as those that are operated are at risk of developing complications, mainly hemorrhagic.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Free rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap with anterior rectus sheath to provide the orbital support in globe-sparing total maxillectomy.

Reconstruction after total maxillectomy with preservation of the orbital contents is technically more challenging than when the maxillectomy is combined with orbital exenteration. It results in severe complications if the orbital content is not supported. We would like to introduce a new technique using free rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) flap with anterior rectus sheath to support the orbital content in a patient who underwent globe-sparing total maxillectomy. The large resection of the recurrent maxillary peripheral nerve sheath tumor was performed in a 34-year-old male patient. Right free RAM flap was harvested simultaneously with the tumor resection. The anterior sheath of upper portion of the rectus muscle was also incorporated into the flap. The free edge of the upper anterior rectus sheath was anchored to three different points: Lateral rim, medial rim and the posterior remnant of the bony orbital floor with non-absorbable suture. Consequently, orbital support was achieved with well-vascularized, thin, strong fascia with smooth surface. Right facial artery and vein were chosen as recipient vessel. Duration of the operation was 5.5 hours. Postoperative period was uneventful. Six months after the surgery, the right eye was in good position without inferior dystopia. Eyeball movement could be done without restriction. The patient also denied diplopia. Reconstruction of globe-sparing total maxillectomy defects with free RAM flap with anterior rectus sheath has several advantages that enable the reconstructive surgeon to solve the multiple complex reconstructive task with one flap: 1) elimination of the secondary donor site morbidity; 2) more simply addressing the challenging task of the eye support than the other techniques; 3) obliterating the maxillectomy defect and closing the palate; 4) restoring the large skin defect; and 5) reducing the operation time. It is difficult to conclude that this technique is the best choice in such cases based on a report of the single case. However, presented technique should be kept in mind as a practical and effective reconstructive option in cases that have underwent the total maxillectomy with the preservation of the orbit.

Adult↗

Inferior epigastric artery skin flaps without rectus abdominis muscle.

The rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap has many advantages, but its disadvantages are also well-known. These are the possibility of abdominal herniation and, in certain situations, its bulk. To overcome these problems, an inferior epigastric artery skin flap without rectus abdominis muscle, pedicled on the muscle perforators and the proximal inferior deep epigastric artery, have been used in two patients. A large flap without muscle can survive on a single muscle perforator.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Prosthetic vascular graft infection--defect covering with delayed vertical rectus abdominis muscular flap (VRAM) and rectus femoris flap.

Prosthetic vascular graft infection is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. When infections lead to an open exposure of vascular prosthesis special techniques may be necessary to cover tissue defects in regions with often very poor circulation/perfusion conditions. Even when there are large tissue defects associated with vascular prosthetic graft infections and exposure of prosthesis local cure can be achieved after radical debridement and defect coverage through transposition of myocutaneous flaps. The cases of two patients with open exposure of prosthesis in the groin who had been successfully treated by delayed vertical rectus abdominis muscular flap (VRAM) or rectus femoris rotation are presented. The contralateral VRAM myocutaneous flap is an excellent alternative if local measures fail to close large groin defects with exposed prosthesis. In addition the delayed flap rotation offers a greater safety in conditioning the vascularity of the flap.

Amputation Stumps↗

The dissection of the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap with complete preservation of the anterior rectus sheath.

Harvesting the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap results in defects in both the rectus abdominis muscle and the anterior rectus sheath, which may be circumvented by dissecting a perforator flap (DIEP flap) instead. However, the latter is associated with a reduction in the number of myocutaneous perforators nourishing the flap, which has been hypothesised to lead to an increased risk of partial flap failure. We present a technical modification that maintains all the feeding perforators within the flap while fully preserving the anterior rectus sheath. The anterior rectus sheath is incised along a line connecting the perforators. A muscle cuff including all the feeding perforators was raised with the flap. This technique was used in 20 consecutive patients. Nine patients underwent free TRAM flap transfers for breast reconstruction (10 flaps), and 11 patients underwent thoracic-wall reconstruction with a superiorly based pedicled flap. The median follow-up was 11 months. One patient with a pedicled flap developed a partial failure that required surgical revision; all other flaps healed spontaneously. One patient in each subset had preoperative abdominal-wall laxity that was partly corrected after surgery; no abdominal bulging or hernia occurred in the other patients. Our results suggest that the technical modification presented here may enable the surgeon to dissect a rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap with maximal perforator-related flap perfusion and minimal donor-site morbidity. An advantage over the DIEP flap is that this technique is applicable to both free and pedicled flaps.

Adult↗

Head and neck reconstruction with the rectus abdominis free flap.

The rectus abdominis free flap is a versatile tool that is well suited to a variety of reconstructive problems in the head and neck, including defects of the orbit, the tongue, the cheek, the posterior mandible, and the neck. This flap, which has a high success rate, can be harvested while the ablative team is still excising the tumor. The donor site morbidity is minimal, and the time required to complete the surgery is less than that for most other free flaps. For these reasons, the rectus abdominis free flap has become an increasingly popular tool for use in head and neck reconstruction.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗

Pfannenstiel incision as an alternative approach for harvesting the rectus abdominis muscle for free-tissue transfer.

The rectus abdominis muscle has been one of the most commonly used donor tissues for free-flap reconstruction of defects in the extremities and in selected head and neck patients. The rectus abdominis has provided adequate soft-tissue mass with predictable anatomy and results for the majority of its applications in free-flap reconstruction. Harvesting of this muscle has typically been done through a paramedian or midline incision, which has left a lengthy notable scar on a patient's abdomen. To avoid the late aesthetic deformity associated with this typical approach for the rectus abdominis, we began harvesting the muscle through a Pfannenstiel incision. Patients were initially selected based on young age and limited soft-tissue requirements. With additional experience, this technique was extended to include all healthy patients regardless of age. Also, soft-tissue limitations no longer became an issue, as we learned the entire rectus abdominis muscle could be harvested from this approach. An extended Pfannenstiel incision was made from the ipsilateral anterior superior iliac spine to the lateral border of the contralateral rectus abdominis. A superiorly based flap was raised to expose the full length of the anterior rectus sheath from pubis to costal margin. In our earlier patients, a periumbilical incision was made for presumed easier access, but we discovered this was an unnecessary maneuver. With the anterior sheath fully exposed, the muscle was harvested and the sheath repaired in a routine manner. The elevated abdominal flap was returned to its anatomic position and closed over a suction drain. Since 1993, 10 patients have undergone a Pfannenstiel approach for harvesting of the rectus abdominis muscle. The mean age was 16. The areas requiring coverage included a traumatic elbow defect, seven traumatic lower extremity defects, one lower extremity sarcoma defect, and one lower extremity septic joint defect. Mean follow-up for these patients was 12 months. There were no flap failures. One patient developed an arterial thrombosis on postoperative day 5 and was treated with successful revision. There were no abdominal wall complications. Cosmesis was judged as good in all patients. We would recommend avoiding this approach in heavy or moderate smokers, diabetic patients, and patients with significant obesity. The Pfannenstiel approach to the rectus abdominis muscle has allowed for complete harvest of the muscle, improved aesthetic results compared with alternative techniques, and avoidance of donor-site morbidityin healthy patients.

Adolescent↗

[Two cases of empyema treated with rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap and muscle flap].

A rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (RAM flap) has often been useful in breast reconstructions after the surgical therapy for breast cancer, or in other plastic surgeries. However, there have been few reports concerning about its applications for intrathoracic diseases. In this paper, we report two cases of recurrent empyema treated with RAM flap and muscle flap from rectus abdominis. One case is 75-year-old male with right-empyema and bronchial fistula after the thoracoplasty due to lung tuberculosis. The bronchial fistula was successfully closed with muscle flap from the right rectus abdominis. The other is 33-year-old male with left empyema and cutaneous fistula after the hemothorax due to traffic accident. He contracted with MRSA in his thoracic cavity. We resected the fistula and reconstructed his left chest wall with left RAM flap. The muscle flap from rectus abdominis or RAM flap has been very effective for the therapy of bronchial fistula after lung tuberculosis, and for the reconstruction of chest wall.

Adult↗