title: Dissection Technique for Abdominoplasty: A Prospective Study on Scalpel versus Diathermocoagulation (Coagulation Mode).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the dissection technique on outcomes and complications after a full abdominoplasty, comparing 2 different techniques used to raise the abdominal flap: the steel scalpel and the diathermocoagulation device on coagulation mode.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was performed at a single center from January 2009 to December 2011 of patients submitted to abdominoplasty with umbilical transposition. Two groups were identified: group A, abdominoplasty performed with steel scalpel/knife; and group B, abdominoplasty performed with diathermocoagulation on coagulation mode. Several variables were determined: general characteristics, time until drain removal, daily and total volume of drain output, length of hospital stay, operative time, readmission, reoperation, emergency department visits, and local and systemic complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 119 full abdominoplasties were performed in women (group A, 39 patients; group B, 80 patients). There were no statistically significant differences between groups with respect to general characteristics, except for body mass index, comorbidities, and weight of the surgical specimen; there were no differences for operative time, systemic complications, hematoma, and necrosis incidence. The scalpel group had a highly significant reduction of 54.56% on total drain output, and a 2.65 day reduction on time to drain removal and no reported cases of seroma or healing problems (difference of 81.25% and 90.00%, respectively, between the 2 groups).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Performing abdominal dissection with scalpel had a beneficial effect on patient recovery, as it reduced time requested for drain removal, total drain output, and incidence of seroma and wound healing problems.
authors: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto University Medical School, Porto, Portugal; and Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Valença-Filipe
authors: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto University Medical School, Porto, Portugal; and Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.
authors: Apolino
authors: A
authors: Martins
authors: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto University Medical School, Porto, Portugal; and Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.
authors: Álvaro
authors: Á
authors: Silva
authors: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto University Medical School, Porto, Portugal; and Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.
authors: Luis O
authors: LO
authors: Vásconez
authors: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto University Medical School, Porto, Portugal; and Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Amarante
authors: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto University Medical School, Porto, Portugal; and Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.
authors: António
authors: A
authors: Costa-Ferreira