MINIMALLY INVASIVE ABDOMINOPLASTY - SURGICAL TECHNIQUE DEVELOPMENT AND REPORT OF 3 CASES

Endoscopically assisted rectus abdominis plication is a safe and effec tive method of repair in patients with mild to moderate central abdomi nal wall flaccidity. A procedure was developed in animals and in a hum an cadaver using a single umbilical incision, gasless dissection of th e anterior rectus abdominis fascia, and suture plication under endosco pic guidance. This procedure was performed successfully in three patie nts. Early postoperative results were comparable to those obtained by standard rectus abdominis plication. Moreover, adjunctive suction lipe ctomy or a limited abdominal skin resection can be used to expand the contouring capability of this technique.