To investigate the clinical application of abdominal wall defect repair and reconstruction with external oblique abdominis flap graft in patients with rectus abdominis deficiency caused by tumors or trauma.

10 patients with rectus abdominis deficiency were admitted to Affiliated Hangzhou first people's hospital from December 2014 to December 2018. The abdominal wall defect was repaired and reconstructed with the technique of external oblique abdominis flap graft. The clinical data were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The reconstruction and recovery of abdominal wall were evaluated by inquiry, physical examination and abdominal wall CT examination.

Among the 10 patients with rectus abdominis deficiency, 9 were rectus abdominis tumors (8 females and 1 male), and 1 was rectus abdominis trauma (male). The average age was (46.90±13.25) years, and the mean BMI was (23.10±3.98) kg/m². Of the 9 rectus abdominis tumors, 8 were primary tumors and 1 was metastatic tumors, all of which underwent barrier resection of rectus abdominis complex. Patients with rectus abdominis trauma underwent resection of injured rectus abdominis. The average width of abdominal wall defect after resection was (11.70 ±1.89) cm. Unilateral oblique abdominis flap graft were used to repair and reconstruct the abdominal wall defect with mesh for reinforcement. All meshes were polypropylene meshes with an average size of (420.00±154.91) cm². The average operation time was (132.50±38.96) minutes, the average intraoperative bleeding volume was (107.00±74.54) cm³, and the average hospitalization time was (11.50±4.30) days. There was no ischemic necrosis of abdominal external oblique muscle flap graft, no incision dehiscence, SSI, intestinal fistula and other complications. Follow-up examination, physical examination and abdominal wall CT showed that the abdominal wall was intact and the function recovered well. The average follow-up time was (35.50±11.35) months. No recurrence of tumors, incisional hernia or abdominal wall bulging were found during the follow-up.

External oblique abdominis flap graft technique is a safe and effective technique for repairing abdominal wall defect. It has a good clinical effect in patients with rectus abdominis deficiency.