Use of Infrared Thermography for Abdominoplasty Procedures in Patients with Extensive Subcostal Scars: A Preliminary Analysis

Autores da FMUP

• António Manuel Domingues Da Costa Ferreira

  Autor

Participantes de fora da FMUP

• Valença-Filipe, R
• Vardasca, R.
• Magalhaes, C
• Mendes, J
• Amarante, J.

Unidades de investigação

• Cirurgia e Fisiologia

• Laboratório Associado RISE- Rede de Investigação em Saúde

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

• RISE-Health

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

Abstract

This preliminary analysis, which included two patients presenting subcostal scars and seeking abdominoplasty, used IRT as a noninvasive imaging method for evaluating the abdominal wall perfusion at all phases of an abdominoplasty. Large-scale studies must be performed to validate this technique as a simple and effective strategy for patient selection and for predicting possible complications, especially in cases of recent scars or important comorbidities. Subcostal scars may increase the risk of healing complications in abdominoplasty. The authors evaluated the use of thermography as a potential tool for patient selection and surgery planning to avoid complications and improve abdominoplasty outcomes. Two candidates for abdominoplasty procedures who presented with extensive subcostal scars were submitted to an infrared thermography protocol at all phases of the procedure: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative at 1 and 6 months. The preoperative thermography for both patients revealed near-normal abdominal wall perfusion. The thermograms captured intraoperatively during flap elevation did not show perfusion deficits on the upper abdominal flap. At 1 month and 6 months postoperative, dynamic thermography for both patients showed normal to near-normal perfusion. The procedures had a complication-free course with a good aesthetic result. Plastic surgeons may be reluctant to perform a full abdominoplasty in patients with a previous subcostal incision. In this preliminary analysis, we raise the potential usefulness of thermography for patients with recent subcostal scars and/or important comorbidities as a strategy for adequate patient and technique selection, avoiding possible complications. Future studies, with an increased number of patients and adequate statistical analysis, may allow us to validate the utility of thermography in these cases and reassure that the presence of previous extensive subcostal scars may not be a contraindication for a full abdominoplasty, especially if they are not recent.

Keywords

• PLASTIC-SURGERY; PERFORATORS