Challenges in Abdominoplasty, Management of Difficult Cases: Review and Surgical Classification

Background

 

Big abdominal deformities or abdominal surgical sequelae constitutes a surgical challenge constantly defying a surgeons expertise and techniques. The difficulties approaching these patients are caused principally by poor skin tissue in the abdominal region, where multiple scars, adherences, retractions, traumatic and iatrogenic injuries can be found. This work will show different approaches to successfully classify and manage some of these difficult cases maintaining an aesthetic component to it.

Methods

 

The authors present a case series of 3 patients with unusual abdominal wall deformities considered for surgical reconstruction, which will be addressed not only throughout the anterior abdominal wall but by modeling of the whole body contour. Thus creating a therapeutic classification for the management of difficult cases in abdominoplasty.

 

Results

 

In spite of established treatments, abdominal aesthetic surgery needs a global approach relative to body contouring. Treating the whole thoraco-abdominal area in order to reconstruct anterior wall deformities will result in an improved harmony of the patients body contour.

 

Conclusions

 

The cases here presented require the surgeon to part from established surgical approaches, modifying and incorporating unusual techniques so that the final outcome exhibits refined and aesthetic results.