↵^a Descriptive statistics were based on scores averaged across 3 images. Measurements for the RA muscle were obtained parallel to 3 levels: upper=costochondral junction of the ninth rib, middle=halfway between the lower rib margin and the iliac crest, lower=5 cm below the iliac crest. Measurements for the lateral abdominal muscles were obtained at 1 location, halfway between the lower rib margin and the iliac crest along a vertical line passing through the anterior superior iliac spine. TRAM=transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous, RA=rectus abdominis muscle, CSA=cross-sectional area, OE=obliquus externus abdominis muscle, OI=obliquus internus abdominis muscle, TrA=transversus abdominis muscle.

^b P values were determined with paired t tests. Significance for comparisons of the donor side with the intact side for all abdominal muscles was set at a P value of less than .05.