Inguinocrural dermolipectomy A retrospective study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Inguinocrural dermolipectomy is a constantly increasing surgical procedure, especially for postbariatric patients with significant weight loss. The “crescent medial” and “vertical medial” thigh lifting techniques (CMTL/VMTL) are the most effective type of surgery to treat laxity and excess of skin and soft tissues in the medial region of the thighs Aim of this article is to suggest which patients may be eligible for a surgical thighplasty with an acceptable risk of postoperative complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study with 30 female patients who underwent a surgical thighplasty between 2018 and 2008.

Several parameters were evaluated such as age, patient weight and BMI before weight loss and before plastic surgery, the mode of weight loss (surgical vs. non-surgical), the type of technique performed (“crescent medial” vs. “vertical medial”), the association with other surgical procedures of size reduction plastic operation (ICD10 Procedure Code 8683), smoking at the time of the intervention. The correlations between these preoperative parameters and the development of postoperative complications were taken into consideration and different outcomes were evaluated, of which the modification of the size of the trousers after the thigh lifting operation, the days of hospitalization, the maintenance time drainage, the time needed to return to normal daily activities and improvement in the same, in walking and in physical activity after the execution of the procedure and the satisfaction in general of the patients.

RESULTS: The association with other excisional surgeries such as brachioplasty, abdominoplasty or mastopexy, the BMI before thighplasty and weight loss modality condition significantly influence patient‟s post-operative outcomes.

However, there is no clear correlation with age, smoking, the type of plastic surgery performed and its possible association with liposuction, and a drastic “drop” of BMI.

DISCUSSION: In our opinion, even more than a single parameter predicts patients‟ post-operative complications. Acting on the significant findings of our investigation, surgeons could minimize post-operative risks as well as surgical minor complications.

CONCLUSIONS:Therefore we advise to evaluate these factors before the intervention in order to select the patients more accurately and define the ideal candidate patient for inguinocrural dermolipectomy, so as obtain a reduction in postoperative complications.