Lipoabdominoplasty: An exponential advantage for a consistently safe and aesthetic outcome

Abstract

Background:Extensive liposuction along with limited dissection of abdominal flaps is slowly emerging as a well proven advantageous method over standard abdominoplasty.Materials and Methods:A retrospective study analyzed 146 patients managed for the abdominal contour deformities from March 2004 to February 2010. A simple method to project the post operative outcome by rotation of a supine lateral photograph to upright posture in 46 patients prospectively has succeeded in projecting a predictable result. All patients were encouraged to practice chest physiotherapy in ‘tummy tuck’ position during the preoperative counseling. Aggressive liposuction of entire upper abdomen, a limited dissection in the midline, plication of diastasis of rectus whenever indicated, panniculectomy and neoumblicoplasty were done in all patients.Results:The patients had a mean age of 43, youngest being 29 and oldest 72 years. Majority were of normal weight (94%). Twelve were morbidly obese; 57 patients had undergone previous abdominal surgeries; 49 patients had associated hernias. Lipoabdominoplasty yielded a satisfactory result in 110 (94%) patients. The postoperative patient had a definitely less heavy harmonious abdomen with improved waistline. The complications were more with higher BMI, fat thickness of more than 7 cm and prolonged operating time when other procedures were combined.Conclusions:Extensive liposuction combined with limited dissection method applied to all abdominoplasty patients yielded consistently safe, reliable and predictable aesthetic results with less complications and faster recovery. The simple photographic manipulation has helped project the postoperative outcome reliably. The preoperative chest physiotherapy in tummytuck position helped prevent chest complications.

Experience with Lipoabdominoplasty in a cosmetic surgery center in southern Nigeria

“…Most of the literatures reviewed didn't report any hematoma. However, seroma formation was a relatively common complication, ranging from 0.8-4% [2,18]. We had no case of seroma formation.…”

Manual lymphatic drainage and therapeutic ultrasound in liposuction and lipoabdominoplasty post-operative period

“…In pre-operative, it is important doing the chest physiotherapy in tummy tuck position helped prevent chest complications. [2] It is necessary to highlight the difficulty found in the assessment of tissue fibrosis since its result depends on a physical examination (palpation) performed by a qualified professional. In this study, we used the protocol of evaluation of cysts fibrosis levels, a validated instrument, which carefully evaluates the levels of fibrosis and was especially developed to be applied in liposuction or lipoabdominoplasty PO.…”

“…In pre-operative, it is important doing the chest physiotherapy in tummy tuck position helped prevent chest complications. [ 2 ]…”

“…Thus, there is an emergence of a concept able to establish a more satisfactory final outcome in plastic surgery not depending only on surgical planning, but also on preoperative and postoperative (PO) care. [ 1 2 3 ]…”

“…Thus, there is an emergence of a concept able to establish a more satisfactory final outcome in plastic surgery not depending only on surgical planning, but also on preoperative and postoperative (PO) care. [1][2][3] In this context, the Physical Therapy, through improved of its resources and techniques, has been recommended as a form of early and late pre, intermediate and PO treatment, in cosmetic and aesthetic plastic surgeries, [1,3,4] in order to prepare the tissues that will be submitted to surgery, optimize the physical and functional recovery of the function, improve local circulation, prevent, control or minimize the possible PO complications [1][2][3][4] and finally, promote well-being and quality of life.…”