Miniabdominoplasty for the treatment of aesthetic defects after Pfannenstiel incisions

Abstract

We describe the miniabdominoplasty technique adopted in patients with unfavourable aesthetic defects after Pfannenstiel incisions and give our results from 32 patients. Eligibility criteria were cutaneous ptosis after Pfannenstiel incisions, and skin elastic enough to do the miniabdominoplasty. Exclusion criteria were obese or previously fat subjects in whom the operation was not possible. The technique is based on the combination of a miniabdominoplasty done obliquely up to the fascia, and liposuction. We operated on 32 patients from September 2005 to May 2006. We saw no postoperative bleeding, haematoma, or seroma. Thirty-one patients had a good final result. In one case postoperative asymmetry required secondary remodelling, which was done under local anaesthesia as an outpatient. After six months follow-up we recorded no asymmetry or change in body shape. We use the miniabdominoplasty technique for the correction of cosmetic abnormalities after Pfannenstiel incisions. It is feasible and safe, with a short operating time, and gives good aesthetic results and few postoperative complications. Further studies, with more patients, are now required to validate these results.

• Abdominoplasty
• aesthetic surgery
• Pfannenstiel incision