title: Analysis of complications from abdominoplasty: a review of 206 cases at a university hospital.
abstract: The number of abdominoplasties performed in the United States has been steadily increasing over the past decade. A large proportion of these patients are bariatric patients who remain obese despite prior weight-reduction surgery. This study was done to review the experience of patients undergoing abdominoplasty at a university hospital. A retrospective chart review of 206 consecutive patients was performed. The overall complication rate was 37.4%. Major complications [hematoma requiring surgical intervention, seroma requiring aspiration or surgical drainage, cellulitis or abscess requiring hospitalization and intravenous (IV) antibiotics, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE)] occurred in 16% of patients. The rate of minor complications (hematoma or seroma requiring no intervention, epidermolysis, small-wound dehiscence, neuropathic pain, and minor cellulitis) was 26.7%. Obese patients had a significantly increased risk of developing major complications as compared with nonobese patients (53.4% versus 28.8%, P = 0.001). An in-depth analysis of all complications and risk factors was done.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Keith C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Neaman
authors.forename: Juliana E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology*