Getting the Best Results in Abdominoplasty: Current Advanced Concepts

After studying this article and viewing the videos, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe the safe techniques recommended for patients undergoing a lipoabdominoplasty. 2. Demonstrate safe planning techniques for marking a patient for a lipoabdominoplasty. 3. Summarize the various techniques for performing rectus plication. 4. State the current understanding of chemoprophylaxis for outpatient surgical patients. 5. Determine the appropriate placement and shape of the ideal umbilicus.

Abdominoplasty and lipoabdominoplasty surgery is one of the core procedures performed by plastic surgeons in the United States. As with most plastic surgery, it is part art and part science. In this article, the authors try to summarize the science behind this procedure, and point to the generally accepted artistic aspects that are currently still under debate. As this procedure has one of the highest morbidity and mortality rates in the specialty, the authors have also reviewed safe practices.