Most published studies on abdominoplasty focus on methods to reduce the risk of seromas.

These methods include limited dissection (lipoabdominoplasty), quilting sutures, and preservation of the Scarpa fascia. Quantitative evaluation of the aesthetic result has been lacking.

A retrospective study was undertaken of all patients undergoing abdominoplasty in the author's practice from 2016 to 2022. A full abdominoplasty was performed, usually with liposuction (87%).

All patients were treated under total intravenous anesthesia without paralysis or prone positioning.

A single closed suction drain was removed 3 or 4 days after surgery. All procedures were performed as outpatients. Ultrasound surveillance was used to detect any deep venous thromboses. No patient received chemoprophylaxis.

The operating table was flexed, often to 90°. Deep fascial anchoring sutures were used to attach the Scarpa fascia of the flap to the deep muscle fascia.

Measurements of the scar level were made at intervals after surgery up to 1 year.postdural puncture headache (aOR (95%CI) 0.85 (0.73–0.99), p = 0.04) and the need for epidural blood patch (aOR (95%CI) 0.75 (0.64–0.87), p < 0.001).