Abdominoplasty Revision Using Tissue Expansion

Abstract

Postoperative revision after abdominoplasty may be necessary at times to improve contour, remove asymmetries, revise the umbilicus, or improve the scar. This report describes the case of an abdominoplasty performed outside the United States that resulted in an inappropriately high and unattractive scar with an elevated pubic hairline. The patient presented to our clinic 2 years after her initial surgery, and a scar-lowering procedure was performed with the assistance of tissue expansion. The reconstructive effort was staged over a period of 4 months, with an initial procedure to repair several hernias, bury the umbilicus, and place a tissue expander. Over several months, 3.5 L of expansion was performed. During a subsequent surgery, the tissue expander was removed, and the scar was successfully lowered and improved. The healing was uneventful, and the patient was satisfied with the outcome. The final result is exhibited in 1-month follow-up photographs. 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 .