S-J Edmondson1, D A Ross2. 1. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, The London Clinic, 20 Devonshire Place, London, W1G 6BW, England. Edmondsonsj@gmail.com. 2. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, The London Clinic, 20 Devonshire Place, London, W1G 6BW, England.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The postpartum abdomen presents significant challenges to the surgeon. It is anatomically complex, with often substantial symptomatic divarication of the rectus abdominis, affecting all anterior abdominal wall layers. This may lead to profound functional sequelae, and often, of more importance to patients, a significant physical deformity. The complex interplay of functional/physical symptoms can result in reduced quality of life (QoL) as well as negative body image/self-esteem. Postpartum women may seek abdominoplasty to address the whole scope of these concerns. Whilst techniques have evolved achieving such goals operatively, the impact of such surgery on QoL/mental health has yet to be established. METHODS: We perform a comprehensive review of potential options of validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for consideration of use in postpartum women seeking abdominoplasty; in addition to discussing current driving factors for seeking surgery and associated ethics. RESULTS: Pressure on postpartum women to return their abdominal wall contour to a pre-pregnant state is high. This poses important ethical considerations for surgeons. There are several well-established/validated PROMs used in body contouring in massive weight loss/bariatric population groups, including Body-Q and Body-QoL scales, but none yet specific to postpartum women. CONCLUSION: PROMs use to enable establishment of the true value of abdominoplasty in postpartum women, not just in terms of functional/physical restoration, but also in terms of delivering a positive impact on patients' mental health and QoL, are important. Further research is needed to determine if those already developed are appropriate or whether a postpartum-specific PROM would be beneficial.
PURPOSE: The postpartum abdomen presents significant challenges to the surgeon. It is anatomically complex, with often substantial symptomatic divarication of the rectus abdominis, affecting all anterior abdominal wall layers. This may lead to profound functional sequelae, and often, of more importance to patients, a significant physical deformity. The complex interplay of functional/physical symptoms can result in reduced quality of life (QoL) as well as negative body image/self-esteem. Postpartum women may seek abdominoplasty to address the whole scope of these concerns. Whilst techniques have evolved achieving such goals operatively, the impact of such surgery on QoL/mental health has yet to be established. METHODS: We perform a comprehensive review of potential options of validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for consideration of use in postpartum women seeking abdominoplasty; in addition to discussing current driving factors for seeking surgery and associated ethics. RESULTS: Pressure on postpartum women to return their abdominal wall contour to a pre-pregnant state is high. This poses important ethical considerations for surgeons. There are several well-established/validated PROMs used in body contouring in massive weight loss/bariatric population groups, including Body-Q and Body-QoL scales, but none yet specific to postpartum women. CONCLUSION: PROMs use to enable establishment of the true value of abdominoplasty in postpartum women, not just in terms of functional/physical restoration, but also in terms of delivering a positive impact on patients' mental health and QoL, are important. Further research is needed to determine if those already developed are appropriate or whether a postpartum-specific PROM would be beneficial.
Authors: Stefan Danilla; Pedro Cuevas; Sócrates Aedo; Carlos Dominguez; Rocío Jara; María E Calderón; Sarah Al-Himdani; Marco A Rios; Cristián Taladriz; Diego Rodriguez; Rolando Gonzalez; Ángel Lazo; Cristián Erazo; Susana Benitez; Patricio Andrades; Sergio Sepúlveda Journal: Aesthetic Plast Surg Date: 2015-11-17 Impact factor: 2.326
Authors: D Alastair Taylor; Steven L Merten; Gavin D Sandercoe; Dilip Gahankari; Scott B Ingram; Nicholas J Moncrieff; Kevin Ho; Graham D Sellars; Mark R Magnusson Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Date: 2018-03 Impact factor: 4.730
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