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Morphometric study (macroscopic and microscopic) of the lower abdominal wall
António Costa-Ferreira1, Pedro Rodrigues-Pereira, Marco Rebelo
1Porto, Portugal; and Birmingham, Ala. From the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Pathology, São João Hospital, Porto Medical School; and the Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|September 26, 2014
Summary
The lower abdominal wall has a consistent trilaminar fat structure, dominated by the superficial compartment. The Scarpa fascia remains present regardless of patient adiposity, influencing abdominoplasty dissection planes.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Anatomy
- Surgical Dissection
Background:
- Abdominoplasty benefits from superficial dissection planes.
- Previous research identified a trilaminar structure in the lower abdominal wall.
- Understanding fat compartment dominance and changes with adiposity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify fat compartment dominance in the lower abdominal wall.
- To investigate the impact of adiposity on abdominal wall structure.
- To analyze the role of Scarpa fascia in abdominoplasty.
Main Methods:
- Morphometric analysis of 82 surgical specimens from 41 female abdominoplasty patients.
- Histologic study of 31 samples to examine fat compartments and Scarpa fascia.
- Evaluation of fat layer thickness at specific anatomical points.
Main Results:
- A consistent trilaminar structure was observed, with Scarpa fascia present irrespective of adiposity.
- The superficial fat compartment dominated lower abdominal wall thickness.
- The deep fat compartment was thinner and less affected by obesity.
Conclusions:
- The lower abdominal wall exhibits a trilaminar structure with superficial compartment dominance.
- Scarpa fascia is consistently present and relevant for abdominoplasty.
- The deep fat compartment contributes minimally to overall abdominal wall thickness.
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