The French-line abdominoplasty.

This study presents 50 consecutive cases of abdominoplasty utilizing the authors' French-line method. This technique incorporates the basic principles of more traditional abdominoplasty procedures with significant modifications that allow for more aggressive plication of the fascia for accentuation of the waistline and relatively short oblique lateral incisions that are easily concealed within the French-cut one-piece bathing suit or reasonably modest bikini. The technique lends itself to adjunctive intra-abdominal procedures such as cholecystectomy or hysterectomy and is a safe method of abdominal reconstruction following transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap breast reconstruction. Complications are no more frequent than with "traditional" techniques. The only absolute contraindication is the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; relative contraindications are the same as for other abdominoplasty procedures.