Minimally invasive abdominoplasty: surgical technique development and report of three cases

Endoscopically assisted rectus abdominis plication is a safe and effective method of repair in patients with mild to moderate central abdominal wall flaccidity. A procedure was developed in animals and in a human cadaver using a single umbilical incision, gasless dissection of the anterior rectus abdominis fascia, and suture plication under endoscopic guidance. This procedure was performed successfully in three patients. Early postoperative results were comparable to those obtained by standard rectus abdominis plication. Moreover, adjunctive suction lipectomy or a limited abdominal skin resection can be used to expand the contouring capability of this technique.