Correlation between complication rate and patient satisfaction in abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty has become one of the most frequently performed procedures for improving body contour. Numerous reports exist focusing on postoperative complications with even more studies suggesting technical modifications to decrease their occurrence. However, the impact of complications on patient satisfaction has not been sufficiently addressed to date. A retrospective analysis was performed investigating the occurrence of complications following abdominoplasty and their effect on patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was assessed by means of the client satisfaction questionnaire-8. From June 1994 to April 2004 a total of 139 patients underwent an abdominoplasty. Minor and major complications were encountered in 40 (28.8%) and 16 (11.5%) patients, respectively. The median client satisfaction questionnaire-8 score among those patients with and without complications was 29. Thus, it seems that postoperative complications after abdominoplasty do not negatively affect patient satisfaction.