Abdominoplasty and pexia of pubis: Standirazation of measures

Abstract

The abdominoplasty is the procedure of choice for correction of abdominal flaccidity, supra and infraumbilical lipodystrophy and diastasis of the abdominal muscles. New techniques include fascial plication of the rectus abdominis, traction of the external oblique muscle and liposuction to define the waist line. We present.standard measurements for low scar and pubic pexia, concealable with for lipodystrophy type III and IV of Matarasso. We conduct a retrospective observational study with 420 female patients, between 18 and 63 years, operated on between 2004 and 2011, reviewing medical records and photographs The technique is based on the following principles: anatomical references; standard measures taken with the patient standing over high heels for plotting a low suprapubic incision, following the authors design; pubic pexia and low suprapubic scar covered by a standard bikini. Results: 70,95% (298 patients) had abdominal lipodystrophy grade IV, 28,57% (120 patients) had grade III and 0,47% (2 patients) had grade II according to Matarasso. The most common complications were: seroma (4,04%), scar tissue alterations (7,37%), partial necrosis and epidermolysis (2,38%) and umbilical stenosis (1,19%). In conclusion, the standardization of measures for the design of the abdominoplasty scar give very good predictable aesthetic and functional results: low scar covered by a bikini or standard underwear, oval umbilicus scar, pubis pexia and excellent abdominal contour with a low complication rate.