Ant-waist surgery adversely affects lung function: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Plastic surgery
• Pulmonary medicine
• Respiratory physiology

Background:

• Body contouring surgery involving rib resection (11th and 12th ribs) is performed for aesthetic reasons.
• Potential impacts on lung function and respiratory muscle strength remain unexamined.
• This study investigates the effects of 'Ant-waist' surgery on respiratory parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of 'Ant-waist' surgery on lung function.
• To evaluate the effect of this surgery on respiratory muscle strength.
• To determine if rib resection surgery affects pulmonary capacity and respiratory muscle power.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study comparing a post-'Ant-waist' surgery group with an age and gender-matched control group.
• Lung function tests measured forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP).
• Independent t-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions observed in the 'Ant-waist' group for FEV1, FEV1%predicted, FVC%predicted, PEF%predicted, and MEP.
• Strong negative correlations found between years since surgery and FEV1, FEV1%predicted, and PEF%predicted.
• The surgery demonstrated a significant adverse impact on key respiratory measurements.

Conclusions:

• Aesthetic surgery involving the removal of the 11th and 12th ribs adversely affects lung function and respiratory muscle strength.
• These findings are particularly relevant for Jordanian females who underwent the procedure.
• Surgeons should thoroughly discuss the potential respiratory complications with patients considering this surgery.