Experience of abdominoplasty and analysis of the risk factors

We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent abdominoplasty to determine the predisposing factors for complications.

Between 2013 and 2016, 235 patients underwent abdominoplasty at the Brugmann University Hospital. The risk factors for the complications studied were: sex, body mass index (BMI)≥30, active smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, previous abdominal surgery, weight loss, other associated surgical procedures, liposuction, muscle diastasis correction and the duration of presence of the suction drains. The complications were divided into three groups: major complications requiring a second intervention within the first 15 days, minor complications only requiring local treatment and aesthetic complications corrected at a later stage.

Complications were observed in 46.5% of the patients: 19% were major complications, 69% minor complications and 12% aesthetic complications. The significant risk factors for complications were: BMI ≥30, weight loss, associated surgical procedures and suction drains left in place for more than 3 days. We also analysed combinations of risk factors and we found, for example, that certain combinations such as active smoking and previous abdominal surgery increased the risk significantly.

Abdominoplasty is a common plastic surgery procedure associated with an increased risk for complications in certain patients. In our study, a high complication rate was observed, probably because our population was mostly obese and many cases needed an additional procedure. There are no clear guidelines for the surgeon to choose the best surgical candidate. However, risk factors should be taken into consideration and explained to the patient before the surgical decision.