Improving Esthetics and Safety in Abdominoplasty With Broad Lateral Subcostal Perforator Preservation and Contouring With Liposuction

Abstract

Suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) in association with abdominoplasty has been regarded with trepidation, with ischemia of the apron flap, skin loss, and open wounds among the potential dire consequences. Leaving midabdominal and epigastric fatty excess, however, confers suboptimal contour and often a mediocre cosmetic result. In this study, a theoretical and technical approach that improves esthetics and safety in anterior and circumferential abdominoplasty with contouring using SAL is described and evaluated. Forty-two patients were treated with follow-up ranging from 5 to 40 months (mean follow-up 19 months). Through a low-transverse incision, the upper flap is elevated widely to the umbilical horizontal. The umbilicus is circumcised. The dissection then proceeds in a narrow column above the rectus sheaths to the xiphoid. Judicious subcostal undermining is performed, maintaining an intact bilateral subcostal “perforator zone” of 4 to 6 cm. Diastasis repair and anterior sheath plication are performed, and the umbilicus is anchored to the fascia. Excess skin and fat are excised from the inferior aspect of the flap, and the flap is inset. Wetting solution is instilled, and SAL of the entire flap, particularly in the midline and in the region of the neoumbilicus, is performed. Data were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-seven anterior and 15 circumferential procedures were performed. There were 36 females and 6 males. There was one hematoma (3%) requiring re-exploration (male, circumferential), and 3 seromas (7%) treated with percutaneous aspiration. There was no infection, skin loss, or wound dehiscence. Contrary to classic abdominoplasty undermining to the costal margins, the maintenance of a broad subcostal blood supply allows for liberal flap contouring with suction. With this technique, liposuction can be safely used in abdominoplasty to maximize esthetic outcomes.