Respiratory Function Assessment After Waist Reduction Through Scarless Ultrasound-Guided Monocortical Fracture...

Waist reduction surgery is commonly performed using the scarless, ultrasound-guided monocortical fracture (RibXcar) technique. However, the effect of this technique on the respiratory function remains unclear.

The aim of this study was to assess the respiratory function of patients who underwent this procedure, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively.

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate pulmonary function in patients who underwent costal remodeling using the RibXcar technique, with or without rib conversion surgery (Xonversion Ribs). Respiratory function was assessed through standard spirometry preoperatively, and then at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. The analyzed variables included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow expressed as L or L/s, and the FEV1/FVC ratio. A P-value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

This study included 294 women aged 18 to 38 years who underwent RibXcar (Group 1) surgery with or without rib conversion surgery (Xonversion Ribs; Group 2). In both the groups, pulmonary function tests performed 6 months and 1 year postoperatively showed no significant differences from preoperative tests, with no evidence of obstructive or restrictive patterns. In Group 1, 2 cases of pain were recorded 10 to 15 days postoperatively and were managed satisfactorily. In Group 2, 1 case of pain was recorded 10 days postoperatively, with favorable evolution.

Pulmonary function tests performed 6 months and 1 year postoperatively showed no significant differences from those performed before waist reduction through RibXcar, with no evidence of obstructive or restrictive patterns.