title: Histological and biochemical study of the superficial abdominal fascia and its implication in obesity.
abstract: The advancement of liposculpturing and fascial flaps in reconstructive surgery has renewed interest in the superficial fascia of abdomen. Its histological and biochemical composition may play a vital role in maintaining strength and elasticity of the fascia. Hence, study of abdominal fascia for the elastic, collagen, and hydroxyproline contents is desirable to understand asymmetrical bulges and skin folds and in improving surgical treatment of obesity. Samples of superficial fascia were collected from of upper and lower abdomen from 21 fresh cadavers (15 males and 6 females). Samples were stained using Verhoeff-Van Gieson stain. Digital images of superficial fascia were analyzed using TissueQuant software. The samples were also subjected to hydroxyproline estimation. The superficial fascia was formed by loosely packed collagen fibers mixed with abundant elastic fibers and adipose tissue. Elastic contents and collagen contents of superficial fascia were significantly more in the upper abdomen than that in the lower abdomen in males. Hydroxyproline content of superficial fascia of upper abdomen was significantly more than that of lower abdomen in both males and females. The elastic, collagen and hydroxyproline contents of superficial fascia of upper abdomen were higher compared to the lower abdomen. This may be a reason for asymmetric bulging over abdomen and more sagging fold of skin in the lower abdomen than in the upper abdomen. This study may therefore be helpful in finding new ways to manage obesity and other body contour deformities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Arvind Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.affiliation: King Abdul Aziz Hospital, Ministry of Health, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Pramod
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Srinivas Kodavoor
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Aithal
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Sushma R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kotian
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Honnegowda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thittamaranahalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Hemalatha
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bangera
authors.affiliation: School of Information Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Keerthana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Anne D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Souza
keywords: Abdominal obesity; Collagen fibers; Elastic tissue; Sucutaneous tissue