Blepharoplasty incisions: standart suture technique compared with autologous fibrin glue closure

The use of autologous fibrin glue has been compared with the standard suture technique to close blepharoplasty incisions. Forty patients were used in each group with the same surgeon performing all cases over a two year period of time. The fibrin glue was prepared from both whole blood and by a plasmapheresis technique. The fibrin glue had sufficient adhesive qualities and tensile strength to close the incisions with a low complication rate. Minor problems such as milia and granulomas were much less frequent in the glue technique when compared to the suture closure.

Syringe liposculture

Groups of ten patients each were evaluated to compare syringe and machine powered lipocontouring, In each group, between 1,200 and 1,500 ml was removed. The patients undergoing the syringe technique had less blood loss and appeared to recover more rapidly, requiring fewer analgesic agents. The advantage to the surgeon with the syringe was the accurate removal of fatty tissue with quantitation in different areas, avoidance of vaporization of material increasing the safety to the operating team and a quiet operating room. The new syringe, which is a modification to that originally designed by Fournier, obviates many of the earlier problems associated with the technique.

Combined abdominoplasty and lipocontouring operations

A combined abdominoplasty-liposculpture procedure was initially felt to be a rational concept for patients with excessive skin and adiposity. This would theoretically decrease costs and morbidity. The assumption was made upon a review of 500 major abdominoplasties performed with a low complication rate and the fact that liposculpture of the abdomen, when done alone, was quite safe. Combining the two procedures, however, resulted in problems including prolonged drainage, seromas and pseudobursa. Autologous fibrin glue was used and partially corrected the above problems. When all variables are considered, it is concluded that the conservative approach of two lesser procedures may be more efficacious and safer than one larger operation. Liposculpture followed by delayed abdominoplasty is, therefore, felt to be the safest way to recontour the complex abdomen with large amounts of excessive skin and fat.