Abdominoplasty combined with additional surgery: a safety issue.

[BACKGROUND] Although it is becoming more common for abdominoplasty to be performed in combination with other procedures, it has been suggested that such combined procedures may raise the risk of postoperative complications.

[OBJECTIVE] The purpose of this study was to determine whether abdominoplasty performed in conjunction with adjunct procedures would result in an increased morbidity.

[METHODS] A total of 102 patients who underwent abdominoplasty, either alone or combined with additional surgery, between March 2003 and March 2005 were included. A retrospective chart review following institutional review board guidelines was conducted. Combined surgeries included breast reduction, mastopexy, hysterectomy, colostomy revisions, and ventral hernia repairs. Complication rates were also correlated with body mass index (BMI). Twenty-seven patients underwent abdominoplasty alone, and 47 patients were in the abdominoplasty combined group. Complication rates of 18.5% vs. 17%, respectively, were analyzed with a t test (P = .44) and were further stratified in relation to BMI.

[RESULTS] We found a direct correlation between elevated BMI and increased complication rate. Comparison of BMI < 25 (normal) with BMI > 30 (obese) revealed complication rates of 9% vs. 36%, respectively (P < .02). Obesity in our study was a significant predictor of postoperative complications.

[CONCLUSIONS] It would appear that combining abdominoplasty with additional surgical procedures does not lead to increased complication rates and is safe with carefully selected patients and appropriate deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis.