The navel is situated in the center of the abdomen, is a visual center of attention, and plays a disproportionately significant role in the final aesthetic outcome of abdominoplasty procedures. There is no universally accepted description or standard feature set for a visually attractive umbilicus, nor is there a universally accepted or adopted method of umbilicoplasty. We propose a novel method of umbilicoplasty utilizing a Rastogi umbilical parachute suture to invert the periumbilical scar. In effect, this inversion hides the scar and achieves a functionally “scarless” umbilicoplasty, furthermore it provides periumbilical contours that mimic a youthful natural umbilicus, thus improving the aesthetic outcome, and concealing any poor periumbilical wound healing or scarring should it occur, whilst preserving the patient’s native umbilicus. The novel umbilicoplasty method is described in detail in the following article, with illustrations. Indicative results (pre- and postoperative photographs) in abdominoplasty patients are shown. Rastogi parachute umbilicoplasty is safe, effective, technically uncomplicated and can be adapted to a wide variety of patient presentations and aesthetic preferences during abdominoplasty.
Lie et al. (Sat,) studied this question.