Scarpa Fascia Preservation during Abdominoplasty: Randomized Clinical Study of Efficacy and Safety

Endoscopy-assisted latissimus dorsi muscle flap harvesting technique for immediate breast reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of endoscopy-assisted latissimus dorsi muscle flap (LDMF) harvesting in immediate breast reconstruction following partial mastectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From November 2016 to December 2019, sixteen female breast cancer patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction following partial mastectomy underwent LDMF harvesting with endoscopic assistance. This surgical technique was carried out with only one subaxillary skin incision without leaving a scar on the back. Patients' demographic characteristics, histopathologic factors, operative data, postoperative complications, and oncologic safety were collected through electronic chart review.

RESULTS

In sixteen patients, LDMFs were harvested successfully using an endoscopy-assisted technique without conversion to an open technique. The mean age of the patients was 48.0±8.0 years, and the mean body mass index was 24.4±3.9kg/m2. The most common histologic subtype was invasive ductal carcinoma, with a mean tumor size of 3.2±2.3cm. In terms of LDMF harvesting time, it took 168.4±44.0minutes. The most common postoperative complication, donor site seroma (75%), was managed non-surgically during the outpatient visit. In terms of cosmetic aspects, we've seen a high level of patient satisfaction, especially with scarring.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopy-assisted LDMF harvesting technique is safe and useful for breast reconstruction after partial mastectomy. Compared to the conventional open technique, this method does not leave a long scar on the donor site. As a result, it leads to better cosmetic outcomes and improves patient satisfaction.

Clinical Evaluation of 310 Abdominoplasties and Measurement of Scar Level

BACKGROUND

Most published studies on abdominoplasty focus on methods to reduce the risk of seromas. These methods include limited dissection (lipoabdominoplasty), quilting sutures, and preservation of the Scarpa fascia. Quantitative evaluation of the aesthetic result has been lacking.

METHODS

A retrospective study was undertaken of all patients undergoing abdominoplasty in the author's practice from 2016 to 2022. A full abdominoplasty was performed, usually with liposuction (87%). All patients were treated under total intravenous anesthesia without paralysis or prone positioning. A single closed suction drain was removed 3 or 4 days after surgery. All procedures were performed as outpatients. Ultrasound surveillance was used to detect any deep venous thromboses. No patient received chemoprophylaxis. The operating table was flexed, often to 90°. Deep fascial anchoring sutures were used to attach the Scarpa fascia of the flap to the deep muscle fascia. Measurements of the scar level were made at intervals after surgery up to 1 year.

RESULTS

Three hundred ten patients were evaluated, including 300 women. The mean follow-up time was 1 year. The overall complication rate, which included minor scar deformities, was 35.8%. Five deep venous thromboses were detected. There were no hematomas. Fifteen patients (4.8%) developed seromas that were successfully treated by aspiration. The mean vertical scar level 1 month after surgery was 9.9 cm (range, 6.1-12.9 cm). There was no significant change in scar level at subsequent follow-up times up to 1 year. By comparison, the scar level in published studies ranged from 8.6 to 14.1 cm.

DISCUSSION

Avoidance of electrodissection reduces tissue trauma that causes seromas. Flexed patient positioning during surgery and deep fascial anchoring sutures are effective in keeping the scar low. By avoiding chemoprophylaxis, hematomas can be avoided. Limiting the dissection (lipoabdominoplasty), preserving the Scarpa fascia, and adding quilting (progressive tension) sutures are unnecessary.

CONCLUSIONS

Total intravenous anesthesia offers important safety advantages. Avoiding electrodissection is effective in keeping seroma rates at a tolerable level (5%), and the scar low and more easily concealed. Alternative methods present disadvantages that may contribute to a suboptimal aesthetic result and require additional operating time.

Sub-Scarpa's Lipectomy in Abdominoplasty: An Analysis of Risks and Rewards in 723 Consecutive Patients

BACKGROUND

During the course of performing abdominoplasties, a plastic surgeon will encounter a certain body habitus characterized by a thick, tethered, and excessively redundant upper skin flap. Often these patients also demonstrate diffuse and substantial fascial laxity. One approach to this problem involves direct thinning and release of the flap by resection of the sub-Scarpa's fat pad. In theory, this resection should be safe from a flap perfusion standpoint. However, the safety of the sub-Scarpa's resection has not been completely documented.

OBJECTIVES

The author sought to assess the safety and efficacy of sub-Scarpa's lipectomy in abdominoplasty.

METHODS

A total 723 patients were retrospectively examined and divided into 2 groups: those with (Group B) and those without (Group A) a sub-Scarpa's lipectomy component to the abdominoplasty. Because of differences in the baseline characteristics between the 2 groups, data analysis was performed with a logistic regression model and with propensity score matching.

RESULTS

The sub-Scarpa's lipectomy technique allowed for substantial thinning of the flap: the average weight of the resected fat pad was 411 g. Wide undermining allowed for substantial fascial correction, and excellent results were obtainable even in challenging cases. The sub-Scarpa's lipectomy group did not demonstrate an increase in either minor (<5 cm2) or major (>5 cm2) flap necrosis. However, there was a statistically significant increase in fat necrosis and seroma formation in Group B compared with Group A. In both groups, an increasing body mass index was a risk factor for fat necrosis and major flap necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a sub-Scarpa's lipectomy during abdominoplasty is a useful technique to consider for selected abdominoplasty candidates. The risks of minor and major flap loss do not seem to be increased compared to the standard abdominoplasty, but the risks of fat necrosis and seroma formation may be greater.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Clinical outcome of patients undergoing abdominoplasty after massive weight loss

BACKGROUND

Abdominoplasty is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures to reshape the body contour in patients who have undergone massive weight loss.

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to assess the clinical outcome, complication rates, and risk factors for complications of patients undergoing abdominoplasty after massive weight loss.

SETTING

University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

METHOD

Clinical outcome was retrospectively analyzed in 121 patients, who underwent abdominoplasty. The retrospective analysis included demographic data of patients, such as sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and pre-existing illnesses. Moreover, postoperative complications including seroma, hematoma, wound infection, and tissue necrosis were analyzed.

RESULTS

In our study cohort, the median age was 43.7 years, the median weight was 94.7 kg, and the median BMI was 32.3 kg/m². The majority of included patients were women (70.3%). Death occurred in none of the patients. Among individuals, wound infection occurred in 3.3%, tissue necrosis in 1.7%, seroma in 7.4%, and hematoma in 3.3% of patients during the postoperative course. Reoperations were necessary in 2 patients (1.7%) due to postoperative bleeding and tissue necrosis of the navel. Tissue necrosis was significantly more often seen in a subset individual with type 2 diabetes (P = .006). Moreover, the rate of reoperations was significantly higher in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular illnesses compared with cardiovascular healthy patients (P = .036). Multivariate analysis analyzing risk factors for postoperative complications, including sex, age, BMI, diabetes, pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease, revealed strong independent relevance for type 2 diabetes (P = .024).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that abdominoplasty is a safe operative procedure. In addition, the risk for complications is significantly increased in the subgroup of diabetic patients and patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Evidence-Based Abdominoplasty Review With Body Contouring Algorithm

Abdominal contour deformities are an aesthetic challenge to the plastic surgeon. Patients present with diverse clinical histories, multiple comorbidities, and unique aesthetic demands. Weight loss, previous pregnancy, and aging are 3 principal indications for abdominoplasty. Bariatric surgery has increased demand for body contouring procedures. This heterogeneous patient cohort means a "one-size-fits-all" abdominoplasty is not appropriate. Precise evaluation, evidence-based decision-making, and artistic acumen are required while balancing patient goals with safe, realistic, and long-lasting aesthetic outcomes. This article reviews surgical options for abdominal body contouring, providing an evidence-based treatment algorithm for selecting the appropriate procedure for each patient to maximize clinical and patient reported outcomes.

Managing Complications in Abdominoplasty: A Literature Review

Background

Abdominoplasty, 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.

Methods

A systematic MEDLINE search strategy was designed using appropriate Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, and references were scanned for further relevant articles.

Results

According 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.

Conclusions

The 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.

Comparison of Limited and Full Dissection Abdominoplasty Using Laser Fluorescence Imaging to Evaluate Perfusion of the Abdominal Skin

BACKGROUND

In an effort to reduce risk, some surgeons promote a limited dissection abdominoplasty technique. They believe that preserving musculocutaneous perforators improves blood supply to the overlying abdominal tissue and that improved vascularity avoids seromas and reduces wound healing problems. Laser fluorescence imaging is a new method that allows quantitative measurements of perfusion.

METHODS

Twenty-two consecutive women undergoing abdominoplasty agreed to participate in this prospective study. The inclusion rate was 100 percent. The SPY Elite Intraoperative Perfusion Assessment System was used to quantitate flap perfusion. Patients served as their own controls to avoid confounders. All patients received superwet infusions followed by liposuction of the abdomen and flanks. First, a limited dissection was performed, preserving medial musculocutaneous perforating blood vessels and the Scarpa fascia on the lower abdomen. The rectus fascia was repaired in all cases. A temporary superficial fascial wound closure was performed. The patient was imaged after injection of the contrast agent. The dissection was then extended to a full abdominoplasty and the Scarpa fascia was removed from the lower abdomen. The patient was reimaged. Wound tension was also measured.

RESULTS

Complications included one distal deep venous thrombosis, one infection, and one seroma. There were no cases of marginal necrosis or dehiscence. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) in perfusion measurements comparing the limited and full dissections. Wound tensions were significantly less (p < 0.001) in the full-dissection group.

CONCLUSION

The limited dissection abdominoplasty does not provide a significant improvement in perfusion compared with a full dissection.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, II.

Levels of Evidence in Cosmetic Surgery: Analysis and Recommendations Using a New CLEAR Classification

BACKGROUND

The Level of Evidence rating was introduced in 2011 to grade the quality of publications. This system evaluates study design but does not assess several other quality indicators. This study introduces a new "Cosmetic Level of Evidence And Recommendation" (CLEAR) classification that includes additional methodological criteria and compares this new classification with the existing system.

METHODS

All rated publications in the Cosmetic Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, July 2011 through June 2013, were evaluated. The published Level of Evidence rating (1-5) and criteria relevant to study design and methodology for each study were tabulated. A new CLEAR rating was assigned to each article, including a recommendation grade (A-D). The published Level of Evidence rating (1-5) was compared with the recommendation grade determined using the CLEAR classification.

RESULTS

Among the 87 cosmetic articles, 48 studies (55%) were designated as level 4. Three articles were assigned a level 1, but they contained deficiencies sufficient to undermine the conclusions. The correlation between the published Level of Evidence classification (1-5) and CLEAR Grade (A-D) was weak (ρ = 0.11, not significant). Only 41 studies (48%) evaluated consecutive patients or consecutive patients meeting inclusion criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

The CLEAR classification considers methodological factors in evaluating study reliability. A prospective study among consecutive patients meeting eligibility criteria, with a reported inclusion rate, the use of contemporaneous controls when indicated, and consideration of confounders is a realistic goal. Such measures are likely to improve study quality.