title: An evaluation of fascial staples (a new technique) in wide fascial plication during reconstructive abdominoplasty.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the fascial stapler (a new technique) in the plication of the musculoaponeurotic fascia abdominoplasty in comparison to conventional (sutured) techniques. Thirty-eight patients underwent abdominoplasty with rectus sheath plication. Patients were randomized into staple and suture groups. Similar degrees of plicationing were performed in both groups (range, 12-20 cm). Fascial repairs were evaluated postoperatively at approximately 1 month and 6 months. A small, but comparable, subclinical fascial separation was demonstrated immediately in both the stapled and sutured groups. No progression of fascial separation was observed in either group at 1 month and 4 months postoperatively. No complications attributable to the fascial closure were noted in either group. Operative time was considerably less with the stapled technique. The results, although early, suggest that the use of fascial staples for plicationing of the musculoaponeurotic fascia during abdominoplasty is comparable to conventional (sutured) techniques regarding complication rate and disruption rate, but appreciably decreases operative time.
authors.affiliation: Tulane University School of Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Gailliot
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Escobar
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kind
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Parry
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology