Rectus diastasis (RD) is a hot topic in surgical practice related to abdominal wall surgery. RD describes the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles and is characterised by widening of the linea alba. This causes the midline to “bulge” when intra-abdominal pressure is increased. RD is not a hernia because it does not have a true fascial defect although it can be associated with primary midline hernias. It is a condition mostly seen in women after pregnancy and, to a lesser extent, in obese male patients. Open repair techniques have been described although nowadays the development of minimally invasive approaches for treating RD, has led to a consideration on the role that these novel techniques may play. Despite the increase in ways of approaching RD there is a lack of consensus on the definition, diagnosis and therapeutic management of RD.

Keywords: Rectus diastasis, Diastasis recti, abdominal wall surgery, hernia