title: Modified Fleur-de-lis Abdominoplasty for Massive Weight Loss Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty is an effective procedure for correcting abdominal contour abnormalities in both the vertical and horizontal orientation. Tension on the approximated tissue edges and reduced microvascular perfusion is mainly responsible for wound dehiscence and delayed wound healing in the T-point area and seroma formation. To reduce these complications, we developed a modification of the fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty technique forming upper abdominal skin flaps with deepithelialized mediocaudal edges.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 76 consecutive patients underwent fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty over a 2-year period. Of these, 38 (50%) underwent standard fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty and 38 (50%) had modified fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Full-thickness skin defects as major complications and nonoperative treated seroma formations were significantly reduced in modified fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modified fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty reduces the rate of full-thickness skin defects at T-junction and the development of seroma formation.
authors.affiliation: From the Schlosspark Klinik Ludwigsburg, Privatklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich Eugen
authors.initials: UE
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: Selina Nora
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: Philip Helge
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Zeplin
mesh_terms: D061645:Abdominoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss