Prevention and treatment of ecchymosis, edema, and fibrosis in the pre-, trans-, and postoperative periods of plastic surgery

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Fibrosis, intense edema, and ecchymosis are complications that represent a great challenge to dermatofunctional physiotherapists in the postoperative period of liposuction and abdominoplasty. Here we aimed to propose a new approach in the pre-, trans-, and postoperative periods to prevent and minimize fibrosis, intense edema, and ecchymosis, thereby expediting the patient’s recovery and reducing the number of required physiotherapy sessions.

Method:

This controlled clinical trial included 20 female patients aged 18-56 years who were divided into the control group (CG; n = 10) and experimental group (EG; n = 10). All were scheduled to undergo abdominoplasty or abdominal liposuction at least 7 days after enrollment. The two groups were evaluated preoperatively. The CG received care only from the 4th postoperative day, while the EG received care during the pre-, trans-, and postoperative periods.

Results:

The EG required fewer mean physiotherapy sessions (p = 0.0032) and had lower perimetry values on the 4th postoperative day (p < 0.05) in the inframammary groove and iliac crest, lower mean resolution of fibrosis (p = 0.0058), and lower mean resolution of ecchymosis (p = 0.0002) compared to the CG.

Conclusion:

The findings of this unprecedented study indicate that treatment in the pre-, trans-, and postoperative periods reduces edema, ecchymosis, and fibrosis formation in the postoperative period. It also decreases the number of required physiotherapy sessions and accelerates patient recovery from abdominal plastic surgery.

Keywords:
Postoperative complications; Lipectomy; Physical therapy modalities; Fibrosis; Ecchymosis; Edema.