Ultrasound-assisted abdominoplasty: Combining modalities in a safe and effective technique

Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure to improve the contour of the abdomen by removal of excess skin and fat and by plication of the rectus abdominis. Historically, this removal of skin and fat has been limited to direct excision. However, over recent years the addition of liposuction first to the flank areas and then to the upper abdominal flap has improved the result that can be obtained in a single surgical procedure. This series represents a further expansion of existing modalities by using ultrasound-assisted liposuction in the flank areas and above the rectus sheath to aid in removing more adipose tissue while limiting trauma to these areas. The series of 24 patients who underwent this procedure had uniformly excellent results and no significant complications. This illustrates that ultrasonic energy can be applied safely to the upper abdominal flap above the rectus sheath and the flank area, thereby facilitating the removal of adipose tissue without increasing the risk of complications to the patient. The use of ultrasound-assisted liposuction on the upper abdominal flap and flank areas can help improve the aesthetic result with minimal increased risk of morbidity.