Effects of Abdominoplasty on Respiratory Functions: A Prospective Study

Abstract

The short-term and the long-term effects of abdominoplasty on the respiratory function of healthy adults are not known because of a lack of studies on this subject. Theoretically one might suggest that abdominoplasty can cause respiratory decompensation resulting from musculofascial plication, which reduces the respiratory reserve by decreasing intra-abdominal volume and diaphragmatic excursion. This prospective study was performed to evaluate the short-term effects of abdominoplasty on the pulmonary function of 14 consecutive otherwise healthy subjects. Calculation of the body mass index, measurement of the waist circumference, and the distance from xiphoid to umbilicus, and spirometry were performed for each subject preoperatively, and they were repeated at 10 and 30 days after the operation. The mean values of body mass index (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.05), and the distance from xiphoid to umbilicus (p < 0.001) were all decreased significantly by postoperative day 10. Comparison of the spirometric measurements showed a significant improvement in the mean forced vital capacity (p < 0.01) on day 30 postoperatively, whereas the mean forced expiratory volume in first second did not change throughout the study period. The authors conclude that abdominoplasty could improve pulmonary function in healthy subjects by increasing the forced vital capacity.

Waist circumference is associated with pulmonary function in normal-weight, overweight, and obese subjects

“…Because smoking is related to lower body weight and worse pulmonary function, it is not likely to be an explanation for the association of excess weight and pulmonary function. The possibility exists that subjects in a sitting posture take slightly smaller inspirations-and therefore have lower FVC and FEV 1 values-than do those in a standing posture (39). It is not known whether the comparative effects of sitting versus standing posture on the spirometric forced expiratory volumes are different in normal-weight, overweight, and obese subjects.…”

Avaliação espirométrica de doentes com sequela de tuberculose submetidos à lobectomia

“…According to Tercan et al 22 , VC presents significant postoperative improvement until the 30th day in abdominoplasty, though not reaching preoperative values.…”

Minimising complications in abdominoplasty: An approach based on the root cause analysis and focused preventive steps

“…[49] Adequate preemptive analgesia by a judicious combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intravenous titrated patient controlled analgesia, patient education, incentive spirometry and physiotherapy is important to enable the patient to breath well. Perioperative consultation with a chest specialist is recommended in cases of pre-existing respiratory disease.…”