Long Drainers After Abdominoplasty: A Risk Analysis

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes
• Patient Recovery

Background:

• Suction drains are standard for reducing abdominoplasty complications.
• Prolonged drain use (Long drainers) is linked to patient discomfort, limited mobility, and delayed recovery.
• The clinical profile of patients with prolonged drain use remains under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific risk factors associated with an increased number of days requiring suction drains after abdominoplasty.
• To characterize the patient profile of 'Long drainers' (≥6 days with drains).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective observational study involving patients who underwent classical abdominoplasty.
• Patients were categorized into 'Long drainers' (≥6 days) and 'Short drainers' (<6 days).
• Variables analyzed included age, BMI, comorbidities, previous surgeries, specimen weight, and drain output.

Main Results:

• 36% of 418 patients were classified as Long drainers.
• Long drainers showed significantly higher total drain output, longer time to drain removal, higher BMI, and greater specimen weight.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m², specimen weight ≥750 g, and prior bariatric surgery were significant predictors of prolonged drain use.

Conclusions:

• A high-risk profile for prolonged drainage includes BMI ≥28 kg/m², prior bariatric procedures, and specimen weight ≥750 g.
• These factors may warrant specific preventative surgical strategies.
• Consideration of techniques like quilting sutures or Scarpa sparing abdominoplasty is suggested for high-risk patients.