Managing Complications in Abdominoplasty: A Literature Review

Abstract

BackgroundAbdominoplasty, with or without liposuction, is among the most frequently performed aesthetic procedures. Its main objective is to improve the body contour by means of excising redundant skin and fat tissue. Although abdominoplasty is considered a safe procedure with high satisfaction rates, intraoperative and postoperative complications can become a challenge for the surgical team. The aim of this article is to offer a synopsis of the most common complications arising after abdominoplasty, along with evidence-based guidelines about how to prevent and treat them.MethodsA systematic MEDLINE search strategy was designed using appropriate Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, and references were scanned for further relevant articles.ResultsAccording to the published case series, local complications are considerably more common than complications with systemic repercussions. Approximately 10% to 20% of patients suffer a local complication following abdominoplasty, while fewer than 1% suffer a systemic complication. Prevention and management strategies are critically discussed for complications including seroma, haematoma, infection, skin necrosis, suture extrusions, hypertrophic scars, neurological symptoms, umbilical anomalies, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism, respiratory distress, and death.ConclusionsThe complications of abdominoplasty vary in severity and in the impact they have on the aesthetic outcomes. Recommendations for prevention and management are based on various levels of evidence, with a risk of observer bias. However, most complications can be treated appropriately following the current standards, with satisfactory results.

Combined subcostal and posterior transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative pain relief after abdominoplasty

“…The opioids consumption data in table (2) show that there was a signi cant difference for the consumption of morphine and pethidine postoperatively. Where the p-value of both morphine and pethidine used are < 0.0001 for both which < 0.05…”

“…Abdominoplasty is generally elective procedures undergone by healthy patients whose expectations can be ruined by a subsequent complication [2]. Complications of abdominoplasty vary in severity and in the impact they have on the aesthetic outcomes, postoperative pain is the main cause of both late patients ambulation and respiratory complication, respiratory insu ciency or distress complications may develop secondary to the plication of the rectus abdominis sheath or due to excessive tension, which can be more complicated due to the respiratory depressant effect by opioids analgesics used [3].…”

Necrose de pele após abdominoplastia e mastopexia: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

“…Dentre as complicações mais comuns associadas à abdominoplastia (simples ou combinada) (Tabela 1), são citados: seroma, infecção de ferida, deiscência de sutura, hematoma e trombose venosa profunda (TVP) 1 . Sobre a necrose tecidual, esta tem menor incidência e é frequentemente causada por processo infeccioso adjacente, que leva à má perfusão do retalho.…”

“…A abdominoplastia é a sexta cirurgia estética mais frequente no mundo, realizada em aproximadamente 800 mil pacientes por ano. O objetivo principal desse procedimento é remodelar o contorno corpóreo, por meio da retirada de tecido e gordura redundantes na parede abdominal 1 . A técnica é, frequentemente, combinada à lipoaspiração e à mastopexia, no intuito de maximizar os resultados desejados.…”

Clinical outcome of patients undergoing abdominoplasty after massive weight loss

“…Abdominoplasty is a commonly performed surgical procedure to reshape the body contour by reduction of redundant fat and skin tissue to improve quality of life and functional status of patients [3,5,6]. Abdominoplasties are classified according to the type of incision used: transverse [7][8][9][10], vertical [11], and combined [12].…”