The Effect of Body Mass Index on Outcome of Abdominoplasty Operations

BACKGROUND: Increased body mass index (BMI) increase the incidence of seroma formation and wound infection rates and subsequently increases wound dehiscence and ugly scar formation following abdomenoplasty and body contour surgery and also many other aesthetic and plastic surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of BMI on the outcome of abdominoplasty operation. METHODS: We carried out a prospective study of all patients who underwent abdominoplasty at our institution. Patient were divided into two groups. Group I were subjects with body mass index <30 kg/m(2) while group II were patients with body mass index >30 kg/m(2). Demographics and complications (minor and major) were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty seven patients were enrolled. Group I were 32 patients with a mean age of 35.71 and group II 35 patients with mean age of 36.26 years. Seroma formation, wound complications, prolonged hospital stay and complications were significantly more in group II. CONCLUSION: We found that increased BMI significantly increased operative time, hospital stay, drainage duration and drainage amount. Our findings showed that obesity alone could increase the incidence of complications and poor outcome of abdominoplasty.