Inverted T versus Classical Abdominoplasty after Massive Weight Loss

Roshdy, Safia Mohamed Ibrahim; Hafez, Atef Amin; Abu-Ismail, Noha Hamed

doi:/10.21608/aimj.2025.446466

Inverted T versus Classical Abdominoplasty after Massive Weight Loss

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

/10.21608/aimj.2025.446466

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a morbid condition that deeply impacts the social lifestyle and health of individuals.
Aim: To compare the inverted T-abdominoplasty (Fleur-de-lis) and traditional abdominoplasty techniques following weight loss and to select the most suitable technique for removing excess abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue for improved function and aesthetics.
Patients and methods: This was prospective research including 40 patients aged between 25 and 50 years old with BMI up to 40kg/m² were admitted to the plastic surgery department of Al-Zahraa University Hospital during the Period from September 2019 to September 2022.
Results: The 4 patients (20%) had complications in the form of: hypertrophic scar (5%), lower abdomen flap necrosis (5%) and wound infection + dehiscence (10%) in FDL group, comparing to 5 patients (25%) had complications in the form of: hypertrophic scar (5%), seroma (10%) and wound infection + dehiscence (10%) within classic group, statistically insignificant variance was discovered among groups, with p-value > 0.05. Also showed that statistically insignificant variance was discovered among groups according to Drains off (days) and Period of hospital stay (day) with p-value>0.05, and statistically insignificant variance was discovered among groups regarding the creation of waist, with p-value>0.05.
Conclusion: Inverted T abdominoplasty is recommended for post-mass weight loss cases with significant upper midline abdominal excess. It offers comparable safety and contouring to classic abdominoplasty, with similar improvements in waist-hip ratio. FDL abdominoplasty is preferred for vertical and horizontal excess skin.

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