Correlation Between Intra-abdominal Pressure and Diaphragmatic Mobility in Women Submitted to Abdominoplasty After Bariatric Surgery

Background: Plication of the rectus abdominis muscles leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), which may negatively impact the respiratory system due to its effects on diaphragmatic mobility (DM). Objective: To establish the correlation between IAP following plication of the rectus abdominis muscles and DM in women who have undergone abdominoplasty after bariatric surgery. Methods: This prospective cohort study evaluated DM and IAP using high-resolution ultrasound and intravesical pressure measurement during the preoperative, intraoperative, and 1st postoperative day (POD1) periods. Hypotheses: There is a negative correlation between intra-abdominal pressure values after plication of the rectus abdominis muscles and diaphragmatic mobility. There is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure after plication of the rectus abdominis muscles, which is aggravated by the modified Fowler position and the use of the compression belt. The greater the width of the diastasis, the greater the IAP.