Effect of Compression Garments on the Ventilatory Function After Abdominoplasty.

BACKGROUND: The use of compression garments in the postoperative period of abdominoplasty seems to be a consensus, but the incidents of complications arising from this have been described, related to an increase in intraabdominal pressure and reduction of the femoral vein blood flow that may facilitate thromboembolic events. There are no studies that have evaluated the isolated effect of postoperative compression garments on respiratory function. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of compression garments on respiratory function after abdominoplasty. METHODS: Thirty-four female patients who underwent standard abdominoplasty were divided into 2 groups, the garment group (n = 18) and the no garment group (n = 16). Respiratory function assessment (with spirometry and manovacuometry) was performed in the preoperative and postoperative periods. RESULTS: Forced vital capacity assessment revealed a greater ventilatory restriction in the garment group. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) showed differences between the evaluation time points in the garment group; the intergroup comparisons showed that the no garment group had a lower FEV1. Slow vital capacity was evaluated with no significant differences found on both intergroup comparisons. The inspiratory capacity was reduced in the garment group, representing ventilatory restriction. Measurements of the maximum inspiratory pressure showed no significant differences between the groups. The maximum expiratory pressure showed significantly lower values on postoperative day 7 in the garment group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of compression garments after abdominoplasty impairs ventilatory function. Not wearing this type of garment can improve ventilation, decreasing the risk of pulmonary complications.

Do Compression Garments Prevent Subcutaneous Edema After Abdominoplasty?

BACKGROUND: The main disadvantages of wearing a compression garment following abdominoplasty are the increase in intra-abdominal pressure and risk of venous stasis. On the one hand, the wearing of garments may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism. On the other hand, it may be beneficial in decreasing edema formation after surgery. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the effectiveness of compression garments in reducing subcutaneous edema after abdominoplasty. METHODS: Thirty-two women aged 19 to 50 years were selected and randomly allocated to either the garment (n = 16) or no-garment (n = 16) group. All patients underwent abdominoplasty and received 10 sessions of manual lymphatic drainage during the postoperative period. Postoperative edema formation was assessed by perimetry and bioimpedance, and seroma formation was assessed by ultrasound. Statistical tests included t test, mixed linear models, analysis of variance with repeated measures, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, which were performed at a significance level α of .05 (P ≤ .05). RESULTS: The no-garment group showed a trend toward lower mean waist circumference at 29 days following abdominoplasty and significantly lower waist circumference after postoperative day 35 compared with the garment group (P < .001). The mean total body water was slightly lower in the no-garment group than in the garment group 7 days after surgery (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who did not wear a compression garment after abdominoplasty showed less subcutaneous edema formation after 24 days of surgery than those who wore the garment.

Do Abdominal Binders Prevent Seroma Formation and Recurrent Diastasis Following Abdominoplasty?

BACKGROUND: For decades, the postoperative wearing of abdominal binders has been suggested to reduce dead space and prevent mobilization of the musculoaponeurotic layer in an attempt to decrease the risk of seroma formation and recurrent diastasis. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate whether the postoperative wearing of an abdominal binder provides any additional contribution to the reduction of either seroma formation or recurrent diastasis recti when abdominoplasty is performed with quilting sutures. METHODS: Thirty-four women undergoing abdominoplasty were randomized into 2 groups: the binder group (n = 16) wore abdominal binders during the postoperative period, whereas the control group (n = 18) did not. Ultrasound examination was performed on postoperative days 7 and 14 to assess seroma formation and at 6 months postoperatively to assess recurrence of diastasis recti. A t test for independent samples was applied to compare means between 2 numeric variables. Generalized estimation equation models were used to evaluate seroma volume at different time points for the 2 groups. RESULTS: No significant differences in seroma volume were found between groups on postoperative days 7 (P = 0.830) and 14 (P = 0.882). Seven cases of subclinical recurrent diastasis were observed by ultrasound examination in the supraumbilical (4 cases) and infraumbilical regions (3 cases), but without significant differences (P = 1.000) between the 2 groups. Recurrent diastasis was not detected during physical examinations. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative wearing of abdominal binders was not effective in preventing either seroma formation or recurrent diastasis following abdominoplasty with quilting sutures.

The Effect of Quilting Sutures on the Tension Required to Advance the Abdominal Flap in Abdominoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Quilting sutures attaching the abdominal flap to the aponeurosis contribute to the prevention of seroma formation following abdominoplasty. The sutures distribute the tension over the subcutaneous tissue along the flap length, theoretically decreasing tension at the distal (cutaneous) end of the flap. This is expected to reduce the risks of necrosis, dehiscence, and enlarged or hypertrophic scars. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to verify whether quilting sutures decrease the tension required to advance the dermal-fat flap in abdominoplasty. METHODS: Thirty-four women undergoing abdominoplasty with quilting sutures participated in the study. The tensile force required for flap advancement was measured with a digital force gauge before and after placement of quilting sutures and then compared. Differences in tensile force were tested for correlations with BMI, age, weight of flap tissue removed, number of previous pregnancies, and postoperative complications, including seroma formation, hematoma, necrosis, dehiscence, and enlarged or hypertrophic scars. RESULTS: A mean reduction in tension of 27.7% was observed at the skin suture after the placement of quilting sutures (P < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between reduced flap tension and BMI, age, weight of tissue removed, or number of births. One case of seroma formation and 2 cases of enlarged scars were observed, but no case of hematoma, necrosis, or wound dehiscence was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The use of quilting sutures to attach the abdominal flap to the aponeurosis of the anterior abdominal wall reduced tension at the advancing edge of the flap in abdominoplasty.

Sarcoma pleomórfico em úlcera de Marjolin / Pleomorphic sarcoma in Marjolin's ulcer

Úlcera de Marjolin é uma transformação maligna em tecido cutâneo cronicamente inflamado ou traumatizado, que ocorre especialmente após queimaduras. O carcinoma de células escamosas é o tipo histológico mais encontrado nas úlceras de Marjolin, seguido de carcinoma basocelular e melanoma maligno. Sarcomas em úlcera de Marjolin são raros, correspondendo a aproximadamente 5% dessas degenerações malignas. Neste artigo é descrito o caso de paciente do sexo feminino, vítima de queimadura há 42 anos, com grande ulceração em dorso. A biópsia dessa ulceração evidenciou sarcoma pleomórfico de alto grau em úlcera de Marjolin. A paciente foi submetida a ressecção da ulceração e enxerto de pele no local, seguidos de radioterapia e quimioterapia adjuvantes. Em 3 anos de seguimento, a paciente não apresentou recidiva da neoplasia. Úlceras de Marjolin são neoplasias malignas de comportamento agressivo, com alto índice de metástases regionais. A importância de seu entendimento está na necessidade de prevenção das mesmas, com o tratamento adequado dos pacientes queimados, evitando-se a cicatrização por segunda intenção. Sarcomas em úlcera de Marjolin são considerados raros, com poucos casos relatados na literatura, o que demonstra a importância deste relato.

Marjolin's ulcer is a malignant transformation of traumatized or chronically inflamed cutaneous tissue that occurs after burns. The most common histological type of carcinoma found in Marjolin's ulcers is squamous cell carcinoma, followed by basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Sarcomas in Marjolin's ulcers are rare, representing approximately 5% of these malignant degenerations. In this report, we describe the case of a female patient who was burned 42 years prior, with a large ulceration on her back. Biopsy of the ulceration showed a high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma in the Marjolin's ulcer. The patient underwent resection of the ulceration and a skin graft followed by radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. In 3 years of follow-up, the patient had no tumor recurrence. Marjolin's ulcers are aggressive and have a high rate of regional metastases. It is important that clinicians develop an understanding of their prevention by properly treating burns. Sarcomas in Marjolin's ulcers are rare and few cases have been reported in the literature, which demonstrates the importance of this report.

Análise dos pólipos colorretais em 3.491 videocolonoscopias / Analysis of colorrectal polyps in 3.491 videocolonoscopies

INTRODUÇÃO: A ressecção dos pólipos do intestino grosso é uma medida importante na diminuição da incidência do câncer colorretal. O objetivo do presente estudo é verificar a incidência dos pólipos colorretais, seu tipo histológico, o índice de malignização e de ocorrência de novas lesões nos pacientes submetidos a exame colonoscópico por indicações diversas no Serviço de Coloproctologia do Hospital de Caridade de Florianópolis - SC. MÉTODO: Realizado estudo retrospectivo de 3491 pacientes submetidos à videocolonoscopia no período de janeiro de 1992 a outubro de 2006. Foi avaliada a incidência dos pólipos colorretais de acordo com sexo e idade, tipo histológico e a presença de adenocarcinoma. Foram excluídos deste estudo as síndromes polipóides genéticas e os pólipos não ressecados ou com exames anatomopatológicos incompletos ou extraviados. RESULTADOS: Dos 3491 exames realizados, foram encontrados pólipos em 1046 (29,96 por cento), totalizando 1899 lesões em 865 pacientes. Destes 53,94 por cento eram do sexo masculino, 46,06 por cento feminino e 58,46 por cento tinham mais de 60 anos. Foram avaliados 1579 pólipos colorretais, cujo estudo histopatológico mostrou 31,54 por cento adenomas tubulares, 14,19 por cento adenomas túbulo-vilosos, 1,65 por cento adenomas vilosos, 36,03 por cento pólipos hiperplásicos, 7,85 por cento pólipos inflamatórios e 7,85 por cento de outros tipos histológicos. Foram observados 24 (1,52 por cento) adenocarcinomas polipóides e 18 (1,14 por cento) adenomas com focos de adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSÃO: A incidência de pólipos nos pacientes estudados foi bastante alta, sendo os adenomas o tipo histológico mais freqüente, com risco de malignização de 1,14 por cento e os adenocarcinomas polipóides 1,52 por cento. Os pacientes portadores de adenomas colorretais devem ser submetidos a exames de controle, devido ao alto índice de ocorrência de novas lesões.

INTRODUCTION: The resection of colorectal polyps is an important role in decreasing the incidence of colorectal cancer. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of polyps, histological type, malignant transformation rate and the appearance of new polyps in patients that underwent videocolonoscopy for a wide range of indications in the coloproctology service of the Caridade Hospital in Florianópolis - SC. MEHTOD: Retrospective analysis of 3,491 patients submitted to videocolonoscopy from January 2002 to October 2006. The incidence of colorectal polyps by sex and age, histological types and the presence of adenocarcinoma were determined. Familial polypoid syndromes, unresected polyps and patients whose pathology records were incomplete or had been lost were excluded. RESULTS: Polyps were found in 1,046 (29.96 percent) out of 3,491 videocolonoscopies, totaling 1,899 polyps in 865 patients. 53.94 percent of patients were male and 46.06 percent female, and 58.46 percent of them aged over 60 years. The histological analysis of 1,579 colorectal polyps showed that 31.54 percent were tubular adenomas, 14.19 percent tubulovillous adenomas, 1.65 percent villous adenomas, 36.03 percent hyperplasic polyps, 7.22 percent inflammatory polyps and 7.85 percent of other histological types. 24 (1.52 percent) polypoid adenocarcinomas and 18 (1.14 percent) adenocarcinoma focci in adenomas were observed. CONCLUSION: The incidence of polyps in the studied sample was high, with adenoma being the most frequent histological type, with risk of malignization of 1.14 percent and polypoid adenocarcinomas in 1.52 percent. Patients with colorectal adenomas must be followed-up due to the increased likelihood of the appearance of new lesions.