Background: Seroma is frequently a self-limiting condition;
it might have negative consequences such as infection,
flap necrosis, wound dehiscence, and spontaneous drainage
through the surgical site. Seroma treatment is time-consuming
as it may necessitate several sessions of aspirations, probable
drain insertion, and revision procedures.
Objective: This study aimed to verify whether combining
progressive tension sutures with autologous platelet gel sealant
decreased the incidence of seroma formation after lipoabdominoplasty.
Methods: This was a prospective, case-controlled, and
randomized clinical study of forty female patients, aged 25-
55 years, that was carried out from January 2023 to October
2023. All patients were seen at the plastic surgery outpatient
clinic at Suez Canal University Hospital. Patients were allocated
randomly into two equal groups: the study group [A]
had lipoabdominoplasty combined with progressive tension
sutures and autologous platelet gel, while the control group < br />[B] had lipoabdominoplasty alone. A closed suction drain was
used in both groups, and total drain output was measured every
24 hours after surgery until the drains were removed. Clinical
examinations were used as a subjective assessment at 2, 4, 6,
and 8 weeks after surgery, while the incidence of wound disruption
or skin sloughing was used as an objective assessment
of seroma. The results of the two groups were documented and
statistically analysed.
Results: Regarding both subjective and objective assessments
of seroma formation, there were statistically significant
differences between the two groups. The amount of drain output
in lipoabdominoplasty with combined PTS and sealant
platelet gel (group A) was considerably lower than the control
group (p-value <0.00001). The drain removal time (days) was
much longer in group B (the control group), with a statistically
significant difference between both groups (p-value <0.00001).
The incidence of wound dehiscence and flap necrosis was recorded
only in the control group (B).
Conclusion: Combining progressive tension sutures with
autologous platelet gel sealant as an adjuvant in lipoabdominoplasty
reduced the incidence of seroma formation after this
procedure.