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Fleur-de-lis panniculectomy after bariatric surgery: our experience
Julie Anne O'Brien1, Genevieve B Broderick, Zachary M Hurwitz
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA. julieobrien@massmed.org
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|May 19, 2011
Summary
Fleur-de-lis panniculectomy offers better aesthetic and symptomatic outcomes for post-bariatric surgery patients compared to traditional methods. This technique, despite a potentially longer operation time, shows comparable complication rates and improved cosmetic results.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Bariatric Surgery Outcomes
- Body Contouring
Background:
- Post-bariatric surgery patients often require panniculectomy for symptomatic relief.
- Traditional infraumbilical panniculectomy can be unaesthetic and lead to complications.
- Surgeons may avoid fleur-de-lis panniculectomy due to perceived increased operative time and scarring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the outcomes of traditional versus fleur-de-lis panniculectomy in post-bariatric surgery patients.
- To evaluate complication rates and aesthetic results between the two surgical techniques.
- To determine the efficacy of fleur-de-lis panniculectomy for medical necessity cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 130 consecutive post-bariatric surgery patients undergoing panniculectomy.
- Analysis of patient data over a 2-year period.
- Comparison of complication rates between traditional and fleur-de-lis panniculectomy groups.
Main Results:
- 100 patients had fleur-de-lis panniculectomy, 30 had traditional panniculectomy.
- Overall complication rate was 17% (17% traditional, 17% fleur-de-lis; P=1.0).
- Males had higher complication rates (40%) than females (15.7%) (P=0.034).
Conclusions:
- Fleur-de-lis panniculectomy provides significant aesthetic and symptomatic benefits over traditional panniculectomy.
- Limited tissue undermining in fleur-de-lis technique minimizes skin necrosis.
- The fleur-de-lis approach potentially offers superior symptom correction and cosmetic outcomes.
