Modified Diamond-Shaped Umbilicoplasty in Abdominoplasty.

[BACKGROUND] The aim in umbilicoplasty is to obtain a scar that is less visible, the appropriate navel shape and depth. In our study, we aimed to achieve a more natural and younger appearance of the navel which significantly affects the aesthetic result after abdominoplasty. Modification of diamond-shaped umbilicoplasty technique and clinical results were evaluated.

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] Fifty-three patients were included in the study. Modified diamond-shaped umbilicoplasty was performed in 21 patients, and diamond-shaped umbilicoplasty was performed in 32 patients. Demographic data, complications, revision surgery, and follow-up periods of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Different from the standard technique, we deepithelialized the diamond-shaped skin over the abdomen flap and designed four triangular flaps. Then, the navel was inset over these four flaps.

[RESULTS] Forty-six (86.8%) of the patients were females and 7 (13.2%) were males, with a mean age of 39.49 ± 9.18 years, ranging from 22 to 57 years. Complications were occurred in 9 patients in total. There was no difference between groups in complication rates. The mean VAS value of the patients in the MDSU group was 9.48 ± 0.75, it was 8.28 ± 0.99 in the DSU group, and the difference was statistically significant (p:0.001). The mean age of the MDSU group was found to be significantly higher than the DSU group (p:0.008). The BMI of the MDSU group was found to be significantly higher between two groups (p:0.009).

[DISCUSSION] In our study, there was no difference between the complication rates of the two techniques. Therefore, MDSU is a reliable technique. High VAS score of the patients of MDSU was statistically significant. This shows that this modification provides good aesthetic results.

[CONCLUSION] Modified diamond-shaped umbilicoplasty is easy to perform and provides better aesthetic results.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV] This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .