In the classic abdominoplasty, the treatment of large diastasis recti with
simple or vertical mattress sutures may result in a nonaesthetic bulge. The
surgeon may produce a craniocaudal bulge deformity by treating the flaccid
ity in the horizontal plane only, although it occurs in all directions. The
authors describe the triangular mattress suture for the treatment of large
diastasis recti, and demonstrate the mechanism involved in producing an ep
igastric bulge. Also presented is their clinical experience with 56 patient
s, with a 3-year follow-up, using this new plication method. The triangular
mattress suture is a simple, quick, and effective way to correct abdominal
diastasis and to avoid the epigastric bulge deformity with no added morbid
ity.