Men at Higher Risk of Wound Complications after Body Contouring Surgery, Reports Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®
Increasing Number of Males Undergoing Lower Body Lifts and Abdominoplasty
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (July 30, 2012) – Certain types of wound complications are more frequent in men undergoing body contouring after weight-loss (bariatric) surgery, compared to women, suggests a study in the August issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
As more men undergo bariatric surgery and body contouring, plastic surgeons need to be aware of and inform their patients about the possible increase in complications, suggests the new study by Dr. Tae Chong of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, and colleagues.
Increased Risk of Hematoma and Seroma after Body Contouring in Men
The researchers compared complications between men and women in a large database of patients undergoing body contouring. Body contouring refers to several different types of plastic surgery procedures done to remove excess fat and skin in patients with massive weight loss—usually after bariatric surgery.
Of 481 patients in the database, only 10 percent were male. The most common body contouring procedures in men were surgery to remove excess tissue in the chest, back and arms (upper body lift) and in the genital area. Women were more likely to undergo surgery on the thighs and buttocks (lower body lift) and upper arms.
The overall complication rate was 42 percent. Two specific types of wound-related complications were more common in men undergoing body contouring. Hematomas (collections of blood under the skin) occurred in 14.6 percent of men versus 3.5 percent of women. Seromas (collections of wound fluid) were also more common in men: 25 versus 13 percent.
With adjustment for other factors, the risk of hematomas was nearly four times higher in men, while seroma risk was nearly three times higher. As a result of these risks, men had a higher overall complication rate. Other complications—including infections and other more serious wound-healing complications—were not significantly different between the sexes.
Increasing numbers of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery for obesity seek body contouring to remove excess skin and fat and improve the shape and tone of underlying tissues. Because women account for a large majority of these patients, there is little data on the outcomes and risks of body contouring in men. Some studies have suggested that men are at higher risk of wound complications after plastic surgery.
The new study finds higher rates of seromas and hematomas in men after body contouring, compared to women. The reasons for this sex-related difference in complications are unclear. Some potential contributing factors—such as greater amounts of tissue removed and higher blood pressure in men—can't explain the differences observed.
"Men who are considering body contouring surgery should be advised that they are at an increased risk of postoperative hematoma and seroma formation," Dr. Chong and coauthors write. For now, men represent only a small minority of body contouring patients, but there has been a significant increase in males undergoing lower body lifts and abdominoplasty since 2000. Further experience and research may help to identify factors contributing to the higher risk of wound complications in men, thus helping to increase the safety of body contouring surgery.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
LaSandra Cooper or Marie Grimaldi
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
847-228-9900
media@plasticsurgery.org
www.plasticsurgery.org
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For more than 60 years, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® (http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/) has been the one consistently excellent reference for every specialist who uses plastic surgery techniques or works in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. The official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® brings subscribers up-to-the-minute reports on the latest techniques and follow-up for all areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction, experimental studies, maxillofacial reconstruction, hand and microsurgery, burn repair, and cosmetic surgery, as well as news on medico-legal issues.
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The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the world’s largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Representing more than 7,000 Member Surgeons, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS advances quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. You can learn more and visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at PlasticSurgery.org or Facebook.com/PlasticSurgeryASPS and Twitter.com/ASPS_news.
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