Skin Reduction Plasties Following Intestinal Shunt Operations for Treatment of Obesity

Abstract

A unique group of more than 100 selected cases were treated surgically for massive obesity, a mal-absorption syndrome, by an intestinal shunt used to obtain significant weight reduction. The loss of skin elasticity of the slimming patient leads to a “redundant skin syndrome” creating dermatologic-cosmetic as well as psychiatric problems. A series of reductive skin plasties were performed beginning when the patient's body weight had been stable for some months. The redundant skin was found mainly in two contralateral areas: on both sides of the axillae: on the medial aspect of the upper arm and laterally below the breast, and on both sides of the inguinal ligament, on the lower abdomen and on the medial aspect of the thigh. Thirty-eight patients of the group had skin reduction plasties. The operations were performed on each site separately with a few months' interval. Operative techniques and results are presented.