title: The technical approach to laparoscopic colectomy in patients who have undergone prior abdominoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For those patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery who have had prior abdominoplasty, cosmetic outcome is important and the technical considerations for laparoscopy in post-abdominoplasty patients have not been previously addressed. The aim of the present study was to define the technical approach to the post-abdominoplasty patient undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery after abdominoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Utilizing the technical approach described, eleven patients underwent laparoscopy after prior abdominoplasty over a 7-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients (10/11) felt their laparoscopic colorectal resection had no adverse effect on the aesthetics of their prior abdominoplasty. From a surgeon's standpoint, the only significant challenge was due to the loss of abdominal wall compliance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The surgical approach to laparoscopic colectomy in the post-abdominoplasty patient requires careful planning. Cosmetic outcome is a particularly important consideration for this subset of patients, and this should be appreciated by the operating surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL, USA, atallah@post.harvard.edu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atallah
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Izfar
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Debeche-Adams
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Larach
mesh_terms: D061645:Abdominoplasty; D000328:Adult; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery