Role of crescent shaped external oblique plication in waist definition during lipoabdominoplasty.

Introduction: Lipoabdominoplasty is considered one of the most common operations in aesthetic surgery performedworldwide. Although a simple dermolipectomy usually yields satisfactory results, more and more women are now seekingwaist definition. In this study, crescent-shaped plication of the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis will be incorporated with classical conservative abdominoplasty and liposuction to improve abdominal contour and enhance waist definition.Patients and Methods: Sixty female patients, aged 20–55 years, attending Plastic Surgery Clinics at Suez Canal UniversityHospitals and Al Galaa Military Medical Complex were included in this study. Patients were randomly allocated intoeither group [A] (crescent-shaped plication of the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis with classical conservativelipoabdominoplasty), or group [B] (classical conservative lipoabdominoplasty without crescent-shaped plication of theexternal abdominal oblique aponeurosis). The preoperative and postoperative waist circumference was measured 4 cmabove the umbilicus.Results: The mean waist circumference was significantly lower (P value < 0.001) in group [A] (87.4±1.1) than group[B] (96.8±1.8). There was a considerable difference in patient self-assessment, with more than 85% of the participants ingroup [A] being extremely satisfied, while only 15% of the patients in group [B] were extremely satisfied.Conclusion: Crescent-shaped plication of the external oblique aponeurosis achieved significant waist precision andpatient satisfaction when incorporated with classical conservative dermolipectomy.