Diastasis recti repair is a specialized surgical procedure designed to reconstruct and strengthen the abdominal wall. The repair is usually performed with minimally invasive techniques, and the medical name for this procedure is “Laparoscopic Diastasis Recti Repair” or laparoscopic plication.

About the Abdominal Muscles

The rectus abdominis muscles run vertically down the front of the abdomen. Their main purpose is to provide core support, maintain posture, and protect internal organs like the intestines. These muscles are joined down the midline by a band of connective tissue called the linea alba.

Repairing and tightening this midline structure is not associated with any impairment of mobility; rather, it restores core strength and normal abdominal contour for most people.

What causes diastasis recti problems?

Diastasis recti is caused by the overstretching and thinning of the linea alba, which creates a pronounced gap between the left and right sides of the rectus abdominis muscles.

It is uncertain why some people experience more severe separation, but risk factors include prior pregnancies, carrying multiples, age, and significant weight fluctuations. There is no known means to completely prevent this stretching during pregnancy.

This gap compromises the abdominal wall fascia, allowing internal tissue to press forward. This results in a visible bulge or “pooch” in the midsection, weakened core support, and occasionally, lower back pain.

How are these problems found and treated?

Physical examinations and ultrasounds are most commonly used to find and measure the diastasis recti gap. In a few more complex cases, other imaging tests may be used to evaluate the abdominal wall fascia or check for accompanying hernias.

A severely stretched linea alba does not go away on its own. Some symptoms can be temporarily managed by making lifestyle adjustments and engaging in specialized physical therapy. This non-surgical treatment has a low success rate for fully closing significant gaps. The visible bulge will eventually continue unless the fascia is surgically repaired.

Minimally invasive laparoscopic plication—using small keyhole incisions and specialized sutures to close the gap—is the most effective and safest treatment to strengthen core support and restore the abdomen’s natural contour.