LAUSR

BACKGROUND For decades, the postoperative wearing of abdominal binders has been suggested to reduce dead space and prevent mobilization of the musculoaponeurotic layer, as an attempt to decrease the risk of seroma formation and recurrent diastasis. OBJECTIVES The 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 the use of quilting sutures. METHODS Thirty-four women undergoing abdominoplasty were randomized into 2 groups: the binder group (n = 16) wore abdominal binders, and the control group (n = 18) did not wear abdominal binders during the postoperative period. 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. Student's t-test for independent samples was applied to compare means between two numerical variables. Generalized Estimation Equation models were used to evaluate the seroma volume at different timepoints for the different groups. RESULTS No significant differences in seroma volume were found between groups on postoperative days 7 (p = 0.830) and 14 (p = 0.882). Four and 3 cases of subclinical recurrent diastasis were observed by ultrasound examination in the supraumbilical and infraumbilical regions, respectively, but without significant differences (p = 1.000) between groups. Recurrent diastasis was not detected during physical examinations. CONCLUSIONS The postoperative wearing of abdominal binders was neither effective in preventing seroma formation nor recurrent diastasis following abdominoplasty with quilting sutures.