Reducing Seroma After Drainless Abdominoplasty | Dr. Daniel Gould

Dr. Daniel Gould co-authored research published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal examining whether progressive tension sutures can reduce seroma formation following abdominoplasty without the routine use of surgical drains.

The study reviewed 451 abdominoplasty procedures performed over seven years, providing a substantial clinical dataset for evaluating the transition from traditional drain-based management to progressive tension sutures.

Seroma, or the accumulation of fluid beneath the skin after surgery, is a recognized complication of abdominoplasty. Progressive tension sutures are designed to reduce the space in which fluid can accumulate by securing the abdominal flap to the underlying tissue at multiple points.

The research found that adopting progressive tension sutures without drains was associated with a decrease in seroma rates, supporting the technique as an approach for improving postoperative management in appropriately selected abdominoplasty patients.

The study contributes to the broader evolution of body contouring surgery toward techniques intended to reduce complications while creating a more streamlined recovery experience.