The relief of low back pain with the WARP abdominoplasty: a preliminary report.

The alleviation of back pain in 24 of 25 patients who previously had chronic, persistent pain is reported following wide abdominal rectus plication (WARP) abdominoplasty. Radiographic evidence of increases in intervertebral space as well as MRI evidence of possible disk reconstitution are presented. Muscle strength evaluation demonstrates a significant increase in transverse abdominis-internal oblique complex strength with only surgery and no rehabilitative therapy. Intraperitoneal and lower extremity venous pressure changes are discussed, as are complications. A classification of abdomen groups 0 to 4 is presented. The abdominal pressure test and suggested appropriate patient selection are critical to successful treatment.