Panniculectomy and abdominoplasty.

The series involved 123 patients who had 126 excisions of the abdominal wall. In 84 patients, a large pannus of fatty tissue and skin was excised to expedite the approach to intra-abdominal disease or the repair of hernias. In 39 patients, the operation was an abdominoplasty done to improve the appearance of the abdomen or to excise relaxed or redundant tissues. Complications were minimal. The experience suggests that the surgeon should consider and utilize techniques to improve the general function and appearance of the abdominal wall and yet not compromise the treatment of the patient's major problem.