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Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Published in: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 6/2018

01-12-2018 | Original Article

Evaluation of the Number of Progressive Tension Sutures Needed to Prevent Seroma in Abdominoplasty with Drains: A Single-Blind, Prospective, Comparative, Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors: Miluska Bromley, Walter Marrou, Luiz Charles-de-Sa

Published in: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery | Issue 6/2018

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Abstract

Background

Seroma formation has become the most reported complication after abdominoplasties. In 2000, progressive tension sutures (PTS) were described and reported to be associated with a seroma rate of 0.1%. Surgeons worldwide use PTS to prevent seroma; however, there are discrepancies in the number of PTS commonly used, starting from five up to 35 sutures. The absence of standardization may cause a lack of seroma prevention, increased surgical time, and general hesitation to perform the technique.

Objective

To determine whether 11 PTS are sufficient to prevent seroma in abdominoplasties.

Methods

We performed a single-blind, prospective, comparative, randomized clinical trial of 63 healthy patients from January to December 2017. Patients were divided into groups: group 1, classic abdominoplasty without the use of PTS and drains; group 2, abdominoplasty with the use of 11 PTS and drains; and group 3, abdominoplasty with the use of 22 PTS and drains. The duration of the surgical technique, presence of clinical seroma, number of aspirations, and days to drain removal were evaluated. The Cochran–Armitage, Fisher exact, Kruskal–Wallis, and t tests were used in the statistical analyses.

Results

PTS reduced the rate of seroma formation to 3.5%. Results showed that there is a benefit in using 11 PTS instead of 22 PTS because using more sutures led to an increased surgical time (30 min vs. 13 min) and possible complications. Compared to patients with PTS, those without PTS underwent more seroma aspirations and delayed drain removal.

Conclusions

Eleven PTS should be used in classic abdominoplasties.

Level of Evidence I

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.
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Metadata
Title
Evaluation of the Number of Progressive Tension Sutures Needed to Prevent Seroma in Abdominoplasty with Drains: A Single-Blind, Prospective, Comparative, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors
Miluska Bromley
Walter Marrou
Luiz Charles-de-Sa
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 0364-216X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5241
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-018-1227-6

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