Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a popular plastic surgery procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen for those seeking a smoother, firmer stomach. Incorporating liposuction can help to eliminate potential postoperative complications that can arise from abdominoplasty, according to new research.
Seroma, a buildup of wound fluid that can develop after surgery, is a common problem that can arise from tummy tucks. In most cases, seromas develop a few weeks after surgery and are sometimes prevented by a drain that the surgeon places in the patient for a week or longer. The drain, however, is not always successful in eliminating the risk of seroma, and it can also cause patient discomfort or infection.
Daytona Beach, surgeon Carl W. Lentz III, MD, and his colleagues developed a new technique to prevent seroma without a drain, by using liposuction after the tummy tuck procedure. Their research presented in the October issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery documents 112 abdominoplasty patients who underwent the technique that uses liposuction. Only 10 of the patients developed seromas. The doctors behind the study believe that their method can improve the abdominal wall and waist contour as well as decreasing the risk of seroma.
