Abdominoplasty wound-healing complications: assisted closure using foam suction dressing

Abdominoplasty dehiscence, with or without skin necrosis, is a difficult reconstructive problem, which historically entailed protracted management with poor aesthetic outcome. The use of a foam suction dressing in combination with rapid serial wound closure achieves effective delayed primary closure of the abdominoplasty wound with an acceptable aesthetic result. This approach allows effective wound control and functioning, as a mechanical closure device enables rapid closure by serially reducing the foam dressing size with wound closure laterally. This technique has been used in four cases; successful closure was achieved within 8 days, resulting in a stable linear abdominoplasty scar in each case. (C) 2001 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.