Endoscopic abdominoplasty and endoscopically assisted miniabdominoplasty

Recent developments in abdominal contouring procedures have included the extensive use of liposuction and the use of modified or limited scars, producing in effect a "downsizing" of the operative procedures for many patients. The use of minimally invasive techniques based on endoscopic technology and instrumentation represents a logical extension of this trend. Endoscopic visualization and dissection facilitate musculofascial repair through a very small incision and, combined with liposuction, allows significant improvement in abdominal recontouring in selected patients. Patient selection parameters, instrumentation, operative techniques, and complications of this developing procedure are described.