Background: For those patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery who have had prior abdominoplasty, cosmetic outcome is important and the technical considerations for laparoscopy in post-abdominoplasty patients have not been previously addressed. The aim of the present study was to define the technical approach to the post-abdominoplasty patient undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery after abdominoplasty.
Methods: Utilizing the technical approach described, eleven patients underwent laparoscopy after prior abdominoplasty over a 7-year period.
Results: The majority of patients (10/11) felt their laparoscopic colorectal resection had no adverse effect on the aesthetics of their prior abdominoplasty. From a surgeon's standpoint, the only significant challenge was due to the loss of abdominal wall compliance.
Conclusions: The surgical approach to laparoscopic colectomy in the post-abdominoplasty patient requires careful planning. Cosmetic outcome is a particularly important consideration for this subset of patients, and this should be appreciated by the operating surgeon.