title: Complications of 278 consecutive abdominoplasties.
abstract: The case notes of 278 consecutive patients who underwent abdominoplasty, during a five-year period, in one institution under the care of four surgeons were reviewed. Patient details, early and late complications and revision procedures were noted. Seventy-five percent of patients had a 'full' abdominoplasty with undermining to costal cartilage and repositioning of the umbilicus and 23% had 'mini abdominoplasties', 2% were revision operations. Eighteen percent of patients suffered from early complications the most common of which were seroma (5%), haematoma (3%), infection (3%), skin or fat necrosis (2.5%) and delayed healing (2%). Twenty-five percent of patients had late complications which were often relatively minor. These included 'dog ears' (12%), localised fatty excess (10%) and unsatisfactory scars (8%). Twenty-four percent of patients underwent revision surgery. Most commonly further liposuction (12%), dog ear revision (10%) and scar revision (5%). Analysis failed to reveal significant risk factors. Despite an apparently high complication and revision rate the subjective impression is of a satisfied patient cohort.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, Wellington Hospital, 8a Wellington Place, London NW8 9LE, UK. ken.stewart@luht.scot.nhs.uk
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coghlan
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Waterhouse
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology; D014945:Wound Healing