The main complications in plastic surgery in post-bariatric patients: An integrative review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Post-bariatric surgical interventions have become increasingly frequent,10.5935/2177-1235.2023RBCP0733-ENincluding abdominoplasty, inner thigh plastic surgery, brachioplasty, and mastopexy. However, due to bariatric patients’ malabsorptive and restrictive nature, this study aims to present complications arising from aesthetic procedures performed on these patients, exposing the risk factors most associated with sequelae and raising options for a better outcome. Method: An integrative qualitative literature review was carried out according to the guiding question: “What are the main complications in plastic surgeries performed on bariatric patients?”. The search was conducted on the Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS) and PubMed platforms. The articles included in the study were analyzed using the content method. Results: In total, 6 articles were included, in which it was observed that the main complications of body contouring surgeries, such as abdominoplasty and brachioplasty, in bariatric patients were mainly wound dehiscence, seromas and hematomas, complications, these, mainly related to the patient’s body mass index (BMI), their comorbidities and smoking. Conclusion: Today, there is a greater demand for post-bariatric reconstructive plastic surgery, especially abdominoplasty. Consequently, there was also an increase in intraoperative complications, notably seroma and wound dehiscence. To alleviate them, the best solution is to work on controlling the patient’s preoperative risk factors, such as high BMI and smoking, as well as comorbidities that lead to poor healing.

Keywords

• bariatric surgery
• postoperative complications
• esthetics
• intraoperative complications
• plastic surgery procedures