Abdominoplasty Procedures and perioperative care

20 OR Nurse2011 January www.ORNurseJournal.com Abdominoplasty is the fifth most common plastic surgery procedure performed in the United States, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2009 statistics. The number of abdominoplasty procedures performed annually has risen 84% over the past 10 years, with over 115,000 abdominoplasties performed in 2009.1 This trend is secondary to the growing massive weight loss patient population requiring abdominal reduction and contouring procedures. “Abdominoplasty” broken down into its root terms is exactly defined as “plastic surgery of the abdomen.” Procedures cover a broad spectrum. When thinking about surgical correction of the abdomen, the surgeon will consider issues related to improving the skin, subcutaneous fat layer, musculature, possible hernias, and/or the umbilicus, which also might have an associated hernia. Skin may be lax, redundant, and overhanging. The fat layer may be deflated or thick. The musculature may require approximation centrally due to either diastasis or hernias. The umbilicus may be stretched from significant weight change necessitating shortening.2 The particular steps taken in abdominoplasty consider each patient’s individual physical findings.