Aim Abdominoplasty is a popular aesthetic and reconstructive procedure aimed at contouring the abdomen, addressing diastasis, and removing excess abdominal skin. Although it is generally safe, the incidence of wound infection remains a significant concern. Wound infections can increase medical costs, impact patients’ quality of life, and lead to further complications, including the need for reoperation. This retrospective questionnaire-based study investigates the incidence and associated symptoms of wound infection after abdominoplasty at Salmaniya Medical Complex. Objective To determine the incidence rate and symptoms associated with wound infection following abdominoplasty and to propose strategies for prevention and management. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted on a total of 115 patients who underwent abdominoplasty between January 2022 and January 2024. Of these, 86 patients (74.8%) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. A modified Bluebelle wound healing questionnaire was utilized to categorize infection severity. The questionnaire included the following parameters: erythema, swelling, discharge, pain, warmth, wound odor, dehiscence, and fever. Each parameter had a scoring system of 0-3, with 0 being normal, 1 being mild, 2 being moderate, and 3 being severe, assessed subjectively according to the patient’s response. The total scores were then categorized as follows: 0-4, normal healing; 5-9, mild infection; 10-15, moderate infection; and >15, severe infection. Results The patient population can be summarized into three age groups. Patients aged 29-39 years made up 38.4% (n = 33) of the study population. The second group, aged 40-49 years, represented the highest percentage of the patient population at 43.0% (n = 37), and patients above 50 years old made up 18.6% (n = 16) of the total population. The mean age was 42 years, with a standard deviation of 8.45 years. Of the 115 patients initially considered, 86 patients (74.8%) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Of these 86 patients, 69 patients (80.2%), representing the majority of the population, had normal wound healing. Sixteen patients (18.6%) experienced mild infection, and upon follow-up questioning, all 16 patients improved with oral antibiotics without any further intervention. Only one patient (1.2%) experienced moderate infection, which resolved with oral antibiotics and local wound care. No patients were recorded as having severe infection (score >15). Conclusion The incidence of wound infection at Salmaniya Medical Complex after abdominoplasty was 18.6% for mild infection and 1.2% for moderate wound infection, for a total of 19.8%, which is in line with the literature review. Pain was the most common symptom, followed by redness and swelling. Postoperative monitoring of these signs and symptoms is warranted. Furthermore, targeted management of symptoms such as fever, discharge, and warmth may significantly reduce wound infection risks after abdominoplasty. Preoperative measures such as weight management and smoking cessation, combined with standardized wound care protocols, are recommended to improve outcomes. Based on the data, localized wound symptoms were common, but serious complications were rare, reflecting a positive trend in wound healing and management within our center.
AlNajjar et al. (Wed,) studied this question.