Background: Abdominoplasty surgery is used to enhance
body quality and shaping body contours. Massive weight reduction
causes an overabundance of superfluous skin that
causes additional psychological and functional issues. The
most frequent post-abdominoplasty consequence is seroma,
which often develops in the second postoperative week in areas
where the skin of the trunk is compromised or dead space is
produced. Several prophylactic measures have been proposed
to reduce the prevalence of postoperative seroma, including
drains, the use of compression garments, tissue adhesives,
quilting Sutures and Suprascarpa's fascia preservation.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy
of Suprascarpa's dissection and quilting sutures in reducing
seroma production after abdominoplasty in regarding the
quantity of seroma, duration of drain, length of hospital stay,
patient satisfaction, and ultimate cosmetic result.
Patients and Methods: This study includes 30 female patients
at the Plastic Surgery Unit. All of the patients met the
following criteria: All patients had a BMI of less than 30, all
patients have excess abdominal skin and fat tissue, and all patients
exhibit musculoaponeurotic laxity. Between June 2022
and June 2023, our prospective study was carried out at the
Benha University Hospital's Plastic Surgery Unit. 15 patients
had abdominoplasty using the quilting suture technique, while
15 others had them using Scarpa's fascia preservation.
Results: 8 patients had pendulous abdomen post weight
gain, 7 patients presented with redundant skin following dietary
weight loss, 8 patients presented with abdominal deformities
post bariatric surgery and 7 patients presented with skin
laxity following multiple pregnancies. Regarding the complications,
14 patients had no complications, 8 patients with seroma,
6 patients with hematoma and 2 patients with wound
dehiscence.
Conclusion: Suprascarpa's fascia preservation and quilting
sutures are effective in preserving abdominal wall lymphatics
and decreasing postoperative complications especially;
decreasing seroma rates, reducing drain duration and hospital
stays.