Fibrin Sealant and Lipoabdominoplasty in Obese Grade 1 and 2 Patients

BACKGROUND: Ever since lipoabdominoplasty was first developed to achieve better aesthetic outcomes and less morbidity, the rate of seroma formation, especially in obese patients, has disturbed plastic surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fibrin sealant in the prevention of seroma formation after lipoabdominoplasty in obese patients. METHODS: Sixty patients with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 39.9 were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups (30 patients each). Group A underwent lipoabdominoplasty with fibrin glue, while group B underwent traditional lipoabdominoplasty; both had closed suction drainage applied to the abdomen. The patients' demographics and postoperative complications were recorded. Seroma was detected using abdominal ultrasound examinations at two postoperative periods: between postoperative days 10 and 12 and, between postoperative days 18 and 21. RESULTS: The age range was 31 to 55 years (38.5+/-9.5 years) in group A and 25 to 58 years (37.8+/-9.1 years) in group B, while the mean BMI was 31.4 to 39.9 kg/m2 (32.6 kg/m2) in group A and 32.7 to 37.4 kg/m2 (31.5 kg/m2) in group B. In group A, the patients had a complication rate of 10% in group A versus 43% in group B (P<0.05). The incidence of seroma formation was 3% in the fibrin glue group but 37% in the lipoabdominoplasty-alone group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Lipoabdominoplasty with the use of autologous fibrin sealant is a very effective method that significantly reduces the rate of postoperative seroma.

Há necessidade de drenos para prevenir seroma em abdominoplastias com pontos de adesão? / Is there need for drains to prevent seroma in abdominoplasty with adhesion suture?

Introdução: A formação de seroma pós-abdominoplastia é uma complicação que incomoda paciente e cirurgião. O uso da drenagem aspirativa e a utilização de pontos de adesão (“Pontos de Baroudi”) são estratégias utilizadas para prevenir essa complicação. Este trabalho avalia a necessidade de drenos na prevenção do seroma em abdominoplastias com pontos de adesão. Método: Avaliação de todas as pacientes submetidas à abdominoplastia clássica com pontos de adesão, entre janeiro de 2006 e dezembro de 2007. Grupo 1 composto de 28 indivíduos nos quais não foram utilizados drenos; grupo 2 constou de 32 pacientes nos quais foram empregados drenos. A avaliação clínica dos pacientes foi realizada aos sete dias, duas semanas, um mês, dois, quatro e seis meses de pós-operatório. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do teste exato de Fisher. Resultados: No grupo 1, houve um (3,5%) caso de seroma, clinicamente detectado entre o primeiro e o segundo mês pós-operatório, enquanto que no grupo 2, houve um (3,12%) caso diagnosticado aos 14 dias de pós-operatório. O teste de Fisher mostrou um valor de p de 1,000, estatisticamente não significativo para um intervalo de confiança de 95% (0,05-14,08), e odds ratio de 0,8387. A avaliação clínica não demonstrou diferença estatística entre a utilização de drenos ou não na incidência de seroma em pacientes submetidos à abdominoplastia com pontos de adesão. Conclusão: A utilização dos pontos de adesão é uma medida eficaz para prevenir a formação de seroma, sem a necessidade de medidas cirúrgicas adicionais.

Introduction: The formation of seroma in post-abdominoplasty is a highly prevalent complicationthat upsets both the patient and the surgeon. Aspiratory drainage and adhesion suture(“Baroudi suture”) are widely employed strategies for prevention of this complication. This study evaluates the need for drains in the prevention of seroma in abdominoplasty with adhesion suture. Method: Evaluation of all patients who underwent classic abdominoplasty with adhesion suture between January 2006 and December 2007. Group 1 comprised 28 individuals with whom no drains were used; group 2 consisted of 32 patients for whom drains were employed. Clinical evaluation of the patients was performed seven days, two weeks, one month, two, four and six months postoperatively. Statistical analysis was accomplished by means of the Fisher exact test. Results: In group 1 there was one (3.5%) case of seroma, clinically detected between the first and second postoperative month, whereas in group 2 there was one (3.12%) case detected 14 days postoperatively. Fisher’s test showed a p valueof 1.000, not statistically significant for a confidence interval of 95% (0.05-14.08), and odds ratio of 0.8387. Clinical evaluation revealed no statistical difference between the use of drains or not in the incidence of seroma in patients submitted to abdominoplasty with adhesion suture. Conclusion: The use of adhesion suture is an effective measure to prevent the formation of seroma, without the need for additional surgical measures.