Risk of seroma with simultaneous liposuction and abdominoplasty and the role of progressive tension sutures.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to evaluate the true risk of seroma with simultaneous abdominoplasty and liposuction and to assess the role of progressive tension suture in preventing it.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 235 consecutive abdominoplasties performed by a single surgeon was conducted. Matarasso classification was used, and 146 patients with type 4 abdominoplasty were selected. These patients were divided into two groups. The 96 patients in group A had no progressive tension sutures. This group was further subdivided into subgroup A1 (43 patients), which had abdominoplasty alone, and subgroup A2 (53 patients), which had abdominoplasty with liposuction. The 50 patients in group B had progressive tension sutures. This group was further subdivided into subgroup B1 (26 patients), which had abdominoplasty alone, and subgroup B2 (24 patients), which had abdominoplasty with liposuction.


RESULTS
The two groups were similar in terms of body mass index, age, and smoking status. The incidence of seroma formation was 26% (n = 25) in group A, as compared with 4% (n = 2) in group B (p = 0.001). Group B showed 0% seroma formation when abdominoplasty alone was performed, as compared with 7.7% when liposuction was performed at the same time (p = 0.08, no statistical difference). Also, no statistical difference was seen when similar subgroups were compared in group A (p = 0.87).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this retrospective study show that the application of progressive tension sutures in abdominoplasty significantly reduces the incidence of seroma, and that simultaneous abdominoplasty with liposuction does not contribute to this complication.
Khan
Umar Daraz
UD
Belvedere Private Hospital, Knee Hill Abbeywood, London, SE2 0GD, UK. Mrumarkhan@aol.com
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D016896:Treatment Outcome