Complete versus Partial Scarpa's Fascia Preservation Technique in Abdominoplasty on Postoperative Seroma Incidence

Background: Abdominoplasty is a surgical operation involving the removal of surplus fat ‎and skin from the abdomen, along with the reconstruction of the anterior abdominal wall ‎muscles. A common consequence is seroma, defined as a pathological collection of serous ‎fluid, including lymphatic fluid and plasma, in a dead space. Maintaining Scarpa's fascia in the ‎lower abdomen diminishes seroma formation post-abdominoplasty.‎Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the entire Scarpa's fascia preservation approach with ‎its partial preservation variant in abdominoplasty concerning postoperative seroma formation ‎and other related surgical sequelae, including postoperative lower limb edema.‎Patients and methods: The current randomized clinical study was carried out on 46 patients ‎undergoing abdominoplasty surgery admitted to Port Said General Hospital and Alexandria ‎University Surgery Hospital. Patients undergoing abdominoplasty were spliited into two equal ‎groups of patients: Group I included 23 patients undergoing abdominoplasty with complete ‎scarpa's facia preservation. Group II included 23 patients undergoing abdominoplasty with ‎Partial scarpa's facia preservation.‎Results: Our study showed statistically significant differences between the studied groups as ‎regards operative time, hospital stay, postoperative hematoma and patient satisfaction. There ‎were statistically no significant differences between the studied groups as regard drain removal ‎and postoperative seroma. ‎Conclusion: The current study reported no difference in postoperative seroma incidence rates ‎among complete Scarpa's fascia preservation technique and its partial preservation variant in ‎abdominoplasty. There is significant difference in operative time between complete Scarpa's ‎fascia preservation technique and its partial preservation variant in abdominoplasty.‎