Safety of combining abdominoplasty and total abdominal hysterectomy: Fifteen cases and review of the literature

Combined surgeries eliminate the need for 2 anesthetics and 2 hospitalizations, the postoperative period of convalescence is no longer than for either procedure alone, and the total cost is reduced significantly. However, the safety of combining procedures is an unanswered question. We present 15 patients that underwent combined abdominoplasty with total abdominal hysterectomy from January 1992 to July 2002. A retrospective chart review was performed; surgical reports were analyzed, along with subsequent clinical follow-up notes. One patient had a wound infection that required hospitalization, drainage, and intravenous antibiotics. Four patients had minor complications. Patients' satisfaction with the esthetic and functional results of combined procedures has been impressive. Our experience confirms the basic safety of the combined surgery when done on appropriately selected patients. These results are discussed in respect to the current literature.