Jejunal perforation after abdominal liposuction, bilateral breast augmentation and facial fat grafting

Martin Coronado-Malagón1, Luis Tomas Tauffer-Carrion

  • 1Emergency Room Service, Hospital Central Sur de Alta Especialidad (HCSAE) de PEMEX, Mexico City, Mexico.

A 54-year-old woman presented to the emergency department 24 h after undergoing abdominal liposuction, bilateral breast augmentation and facial fat grafting at a private plastic surgery clinic. She presented with the classic evolution of a bowel perforation secondary to abdominal liposuction. A computed tomography (CT) scan found free air in her abdominal cavity. Based on the CT scan and the persistent pain experienced by the patient, an abdominal laparatomy was urgently performed. A jejunum perforation was found and was treated with a resection of the affected segment followed by intestinal anastomosis. The patient had a successful recovery and was discharged seven days later. The present article also reviews the classical presentation of a bowel perforation following abdominal liposuction.