Analysis of complications from abdominoplasty: a review of 206 cases at a university hospital

Abstract

The number of abdominoplasties performed in the United States has been steadily increasing over the past decade. A large proportion of these patients are bariatric patients who remain obese despite prior weight-reduction surgery. This study was done to review the experience of patients undergoing abdominoplasty at a university hospital. A retrospective chart review of 206 consecutive patients was performed. The overall complication rate was 37.4%. Major complications [hematoma requiring surgical intervention, seroma requiring aspiration or surgical drainage, cellulitis or abscess requiring hospitalization and intravenous (IV) antibiotics, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE)] occurred in 16% of patients. The rate of minor complications (hematoma or seroma requiring no intervention, epidermolysis, small-wound dehiscence, neuropathic pain, and minor cellulitis) was 26.7%. Obese patients had a significantly increased risk of developing major complications as compared with nonobese patients (53.4% versus 28.8%, P = 0.001). An in-depth analysis of all complications and risk factors was done.