Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis warrants individualized, risk-stratified approach, and constitutes a relatively controversial topic in plastic surgery. Objectives To determine the safety of a seven-day postoperative enoxaparin regimen for VTE prophylaxis compared to a single preoperative dose of heparin in abdominal body contouring surgery. Methods This single-institution pre-post study compared the safety of a seven-day enoxaparin postoperative regimen to a single preoperative dose of heparin in abdominal body contouring procedures performed by a single surgeon from 2007 to 2018. Four procedures were included: traditional panniculectomy, abdominoplasty, fleur-de-lis panniculectomy, and body contouring liposuction. Group I patients received a single dose of 5000 units subcutaneous heparin in the preoperative period, and no postoperative chemical prophylaxis was administered. Group II patients received 40 mg subcutaneous enoxaparin in the immediate preoperative period, then once-daily for seven days postoperatively. Results A total of 195 patients were included in the study, 66 in Group I and 129 in Group II. The groups demonstrated statistically similar VTE risk profiles, based on the 2005 Caprini risk assessment model. There were no statistically significant differences in the two primary outcomes: postoperative bleeding and VTE events. Group I patients had higher reoperation rates (22.7 percent versus 10.1 percent, p = 0.029), which was secondary to higher rates of revision procedures. Conclusions A seven-day postoperative course of once-daily enoxaparin for VTE risk reduction in abdominal body contouring surgery does not significantly increase the risk of bleeding. Implementation of this regimen for post-discharge chemoprophylaxis, when indicated following individualized risk stratification, is appropriate.

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Eyelid reconstruction is a complex topic. This review looks at articles from 1990 to 2018 on eyelid reconstruction that had at least 10 patients and a mean 6 month follow-up. The authors present the results of our findings and propose an algorithm to guide the surgeon in choosing the best technique based on location, size, and lamella. Defects less than 1/3rd of the upper or lower eyelid may be closed primarily. Anterior and posterior lamella defects of the lower eyelid greater than 1/3rd in size should be reconstructed with a double mucosal and myocutaneous island flap. Those greater than 50% in size should be recreated with a Tripier flap for the anterior lamella and conchal chondroperichondral graft for the posterior lamella. For total lid reconstruction, a Fricke flap is best for the anterior lamella and the tarsoconjunctival free graft/lateral orbital rim periosteal flap is best for the posterior lamella. Fullthickness defects between 1/3rd and 2/3rd in size of the upper eyelid should be reconstructed with a myotarsocutaneous flap and those greater than 2/3rd should be reconstructed with a Cutler-Beard flap for the anterior lamella and auricular cartilage for the posterior lamella. For the medial canthal region, the island pedicle and horizontal cheek advancement flap is recommended for the anterior lamella and a composite upper lid graft for the posterior lamella. For the lateral canthal region, a bilobed flap is recommended for the anterior lamella and a periosteal flap for the posterior lamella.

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