title: Does abdominoplasty with liposuction of the love handles yield a shorter scar? An analysis with abdominal 3D laser scanning.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the combination of abdominoplasty with liposuction of both flanks with regards to length of scar, complications, and patient's satisfaction. A retrospective analysis of 35 patients who underwent esthetic abdominoplasty at our institution between 2002 and 2004 was performed. Thirteen patients underwent abdominoplasty with liposuction of both flanks, 22 patients underwent conventional abdominoplasty. Liposuction of the flanks did not increase the rate of complications of the abdominoplasty procedures. We found a tendency toward shorter scars in patients who underwent abdominoplasty combined with liposuction of the flanks. Implementation of 3-dimensional laser surface scanning to objectify the postoperative outcomes, documented a comparable degree of flatness of the achieved body contouring in both procedures. 3-dimensional laser surface scanning can be a valuable tool to objectify assessment of postoperative results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital of Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, Basel, Switzerland. riegeru@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: Ulrich M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erba
authors.forename: Reto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wettstein
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schwenzer-Zimmerer
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pierer
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Kalbermatten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D050507:Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D013499:Surface Properties; D016896:Treatment Outcome