EPITOME for Scarpa sparing abdominoplasty - randomized controlled trial of efficacy and safety

Abstract

Background: The dissection technique has been shown to influence the complication rate associated with a full abdominoplasty. The purpose of the present study was to perform a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of the dissection technique on outcomes and complications after a full abdominoplasty with Scarpa fascia preservation, comparing 2 incisional devices: the conventional eletroscalpel tip and the EPITOME tip. Methods: A prospective study was conducted at a single center from September 2016 to February 2022 of patients submitted to Scarpa sparing abdominoplasty with umbilical transposition. A total of 40 patients were involved and randomly assigned to one of the procedures: abdominoplasty performed using the conventional eletroscalpel tip (Group A) or a similar procedure performed using the EPITOME tip (Group B). Several variables were analyzed: population characteristics, time until drain removal, total and daily volume of drain output, local and systemic complications, emergency department visits, readmission and reoperation. Results: The general characteristics of both groups did not differ except for body mass index and smoker incidence. The EPITOME group had a significant reduction of 28.52% on the total volume of drain output and a significant reduction of 40.6% of drain volume output on the second day. The other outcomes did not present differences between groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that performing tissue dissection using the EPITOME tip is beneficial and safe for patients submitted to a full abdominoplasty with Scarpa fascia preservation.