Relaxation incisions and tensile strength in the abdominal wall of pigs

Abstract Purpose To analyze the resistance to medial traction of abdominal wall muscles, before and after performing relaxing incisions. Methods Seventeen live pigs were used. After a median laparotomy, the handles were made in the rectus abdominis muscles (RAM) to fit the dynamometer. Step 1 (control phase): tensile strength measured without performing relaxant incisions. Step 2: A curvilinear relaxant incision was made on the anterior blade of the right RAM sheath and then the tensile strength was measured by the edge of the wound. The same procedure was adopted after incision of the left ...