Abstract:

Introduction: The use of drains during lipoabdominoplasty operation has been a routine procedure all along. This is done to prevent seroma formation. But there are problems associated with drains, such as, pain, difficulty in patient mobilization, blockage, and infection’. Strategies to prevent seroma has been tried. But with improvement in dissection technique along with other strategies to prevent seroma, surgeons have now started to avoid using drains. The aim of this study is to see the incidence of complications especially when drain is not employed.

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Cosmetic Surgery Centre Ltd and Bangladesh Specialized Hospital Ltd, Dhaka. Period of study 2y 06 month from June 2017 to December 2019. Number of Lipoabdominoplasties done was 47. Females were 44 and males were 03. All the patients were operated under spinal anesthesia except 3, in whom general anesthesia was applied for additional procedures Fascia Scarpa sparing lipoabdominoplasties were performed in all cases. No drains were used in 46 patients. But in one case, drain had to be employed due to excessive preoperative oozing. Postoperatively patients were evaluated for seroma formation, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis and infection.

Results: Only 4 patients amongst drainless abdominoplasty had seroma formation and one patient in whom drain was used had a minor wound dehiscence. None of the patients had flap necrosis or infection. Early mobilization was easier in patients without drain.

Conclusions: We found that sparing the infraumbilical fascia Scarpa during dissection along with wound closure without tension and avoidance of gliding surfaces with the use of quilting sutures can help avoid the use of drain in lipoabdominoplasty operation. Avoiding drains permits better patients comfort and early ambulation