Complications of abdominoplasty in 86 patients

A total of 101 consecutive abdominoplasty patients were reviewed retrospect ively. Of these, 14 male (mean age at time of operation, 34.3 years; range, 23 to 53 years) and 72 female (mean age at time of operation, 38.9 years; range, 19 to 64 years) patients had adequate documentation for inclusion in this study. Complications were recorded as either wound complications (wound infection, partial wound dehiscence, seroma, hematoma, and skin edge necrosis) or com plications after surgery (deep vein thrombosis. pulmonary emboli, ileus, se nsibility disorder of the skin of the thighs, and death). The complications were subsequently correlated for sex, race, the patient's age at surgery, body mass index before surgery, and the seniority of the surgeon. Nine male patients (64.3 percent) and 11 female patients (15.3 percent) had wound complications. Almost 10 percent of our patients: sustained an injur y to the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh. Male patients should be informed about their possible higher risk of compli cations, and special attention must be given by the surgeon to the preventi on of such complications. Moreover, specific attention must be given to the preservation of the later al cutaneous nerves of the thigh in both male and female patients undergoin g abdominoplasties.