Use of lymphatic taping to prevent the formation of ecchymosis in abdominoplasty and liposuction

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Ecchymosis is one of the most common complications in the postoperative period of plastic liposuction and abdominoplasty surgery. Its treatment and prevention are part of the routine of the dermatofunctional physiotherapist. The objective is to evaluate the occurrence of ecchymosis in patients undergoing abdominoplasty and/or traditional liposuction of the abdomen and flanks and statistically correlate these occurrences with the treatment of lymphatic taping during the operation.

Methods:

Controlled clinical trial, composed of 20 female patients, aged between 20 and 60, divided into 10 in the control group (CG) and 10 in the experimental group (EG). All women had a surgical indication of abdominoplasty and/or liposuction of the abdomen and flanks. The CG was only evaluated preoperatively and on the 4th postoperative day, while the EG group was evaluated preoperatively, received transoperative treatment with application of lymphatic taping and was reevaluated on the 4th postoperative day.

Results:

The experimental group presented a better response in the resolution of ecchymosis (p=0.01) when compared to the control group.

Conclusion:

In this study, the use of lymphatic taping during the transoperative period of abdominoplasty and liposuction reduced or annulled the formation of ecchymosis in the postoperative period, contributing to the decrease in the number of physical therapy visits, the incidence of pain and thus accelerating the reestablishment of patients from abdominoplasty and/or liposuction surgeries.

Keywords:
Postoperative complications; Lipectomy; Physiotherapy; Ecchymosis; Athletic tape