Liposuction With Progressive Tension Suture Abdominoplasty | Dr. Daniel Gould

Dr. Daniel Gould co-authored research published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal examining whether combining liposuction with abdominoplasty increases the risk of seroma, particularly when progressive tension sutures are used instead of traditional surgical drains.

The retrospective study evaluated 619 abdominoplasty patients treated between 2009 and 2017. Of these, 299 underwent drainless abdominoplasty using progressive tension sutures, while 320 underwent traditional drain-based abdominoplasty.

Seroma, a collection of fluid beneath the skin following surgery, is a recognized concern after abdominoplasty. Historically, surgeons have questioned whether adding liposuction could increase this risk, particularly when performing a drainless procedure.

The researchers compared complication rates among patients who underwent abdominoplasty with and without liposuction in both the progressive tension suture and drain-based groups. Their findings showed that adding liposuction did not significantly increase seroma rates when progressive tension sutures were used.

The study provides clinical evidence supporting the combination of liposuction and progressive tension suture abdominoplasty in appropriately selected patients, helping inform surgical approaches designed to achieve body contouring goals while managing postoperative fluid-related complications.