Extended Reverse Abdominoplasty: A Technical Alternative for Breast Reconstruction

Abstract

Extended reverse abdominoplasty is a procedure that widens reverse abdominoplasty and was first published in 1972. The original technique is selectively used for resection of the excessive skin located in the epigastrium and involves a single continuous cicatricial line along the inframammary crease, which crosses the sternal region. In the original technique, excess skin in the hypogastrium is resected by using lower pubic transverse abdominoplasty. This second maneuver produces 2 transverse scars, without mobilizing the belly button. Extended reverse abdominoplasty aims at improving the aesthetics of the entire inner wall of the abdomen through ample dissection reaching the pubis, with mobilization of the pedicle of the belly button. This procedure was used in a young woman who had saggy skin associated with adipose deposits and a vertical scar in the medial line of the epigastrium after bariatric surgery. Ample dissection of the abdominal cutaneous flap with mobilization and reimplantation of the belly button allowed aesthetic improvement of the entire anterior abdominal wall, with a single transverse scar along the inframammary crease and elimination of the scar from previous bariatric surgery. The surgery was combined with mastopexy and liposuction in the abdomen. At least, the over flap was used in the breast reconstruction.