The Role of Taping in Early Recovery After Abdominoplasty: A Comprehensive Review and Proposal of a Standardized Protocol.

[BACKGROUND] Abdominoplasty, a widely performed surgical procedure for body contouring, is often associated with significant postoperative discomfort, edema, and prolonged recovery times. Optimizing postoperative recovery remains a critical goal to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.

[OBJECTIVE] This article explores the role of taping as a noninvasive adjunctive therapy to standard postoperative care in the early recovery phase following abdominoplasty.

[METHODS] A comprehensive review of current literature is presented to evaluate the mechanisms of action and clinical benefits of taping, including its impact on edema reduction, wound healing, and skin adherence. Furthermore, we outline standardized research protocol, implemented over the past 5 years, where taping is applied from the first postoperative day as part of enhanced recovery pathways.

[RESULTS] Taping has demonstrated potential benefits such as reduced edema, improved tissue support, enhanced wound healing, and better skin adherence, contributing to faster and smoother recovery for patients undergoing abdominoplasty.

[CONCLUSIONS] Incorporating taping into the early recovery process may offer a promising, noninvasive approach to improving outcomes after abdominoplasty. Further controlled studies are needed to validate its efficacy and establish standardized protocols for widespread clinical use. Kinesiology taping significantly reduces postoperative edema and enhances wound healing in abdominoplasty. Patients using KT report lower pain levels and improved mobility, contributing to faster recovery. The technique is a cost-effective, non-invasive adjunct that may improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Further studies are needed to establish standardized protocols and confirm long-term benefits.

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