Short summary

Patients with massive weight loss (more than 15 BMI units) do in most cases develop a huge surplus of skin. Some of these patients are treated with bodycontouring surgery which are major surgical procedures where the surplus of skin is resected with the aim to restore a functional and aesthetical acceptable outcome.

In this study we evaluate if the use of postoperative drainage does have impact on the number of postoperative complications in patients treated with beltlipectomy.

Rationale

The number of patients treated with postbariatric surgery with the aim to restore a functional and aesthetical acceptable outcome after a massive weight loss following bariatric surgey or changes in life style. In the region of South Denmark patients are treated at two public hospitals, at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital and at the Department of Surgery, section of Plastic Surgery, Hospital of Southwest Jutland. Most of these surgical procedure are major surgecal procedures with resection of the surplus of skin and subcutaneous tissue. It is well known that these procedures are followed by postoperative complications. At Odense University Hospital the use of postoperative drainage is a routine as part of the surgical procedure for nearly all patients whereas drains are not used routinely at the Hospital of Southwest Jutland. In this study we evaluate if the use of postoperative drainage does have impact on the number of postoperative complications as haematomas, seromas and infections.

Description of the cohort

Data from two cohorts are included in the project. Patients with massive weight loss (MWL) treated with postbariatric surgery at Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital of Southwest Jutland or Department of Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital resepctively. All patients were operated with beltlipectomy which is a circular procedure with resection of the surplus of skin and subcutaneous fat.

Data and biological material

Data from patient journals from 1.1.2016 to 31.12.2020.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, Hospiatl of Southwest Jutland

• Peter Anders Andersen, MD

Department of Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital

• Jens Ahm Sørensen, Professor
• Lotte Poulsen, MD, PhD
• Martin Söderman, MD