title: Assessment of Tissue Perfusion Following Conventional Liposuction of Perforator-Based Abdominal Flaps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of liposuction on the perforators of the lower abdominal wall has been investigated in several studies. There are controversial results in the literature that have primarily demonstrated the number and patency of the perforators. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of liposuction on the perfusion of perforator-based abdominal flaps using a combined laser-Doppler spectrophotometer (O2C, Oxygen to See, LEA Medizintechnik).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine female patients undergoing classical abdominoplasty were included in the study. Perforators and the perfusion zones of the deep inferior epigastric artery flap were marked on the patient's abdominal wall. Flap perfusion was quantitatively assessed by measuring blood flow, velocity, capillary oxygen saturation, and relative amount of hemoglobin for each zone preoperatively, after tumescent solution infiltration, following elevation of the flap on a single perforator, and after deep and superficial liposuction, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The measurements taken after elevation of the flap were not significantly different than measurements taken after the liposuction procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The liposuction procedure does not significantly alter the perfusion of perforator-based abdominal flaps in the early period. The abdominal tissue discarded in a classic abdominoplasty operation can be raised as a perforator flap and has been demonstrated to be a unique model for clinical research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zeynep Deniz
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Akdeniz Doğan
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saçak
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Doğuş
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yalçın
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Bağcılar Teaching and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özgür
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Pilancı
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma Betül
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Tuncer
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özhan
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Çelebiler
keywords: Lipectomy; Perforator flap; Spectrophotometry