ABSTRACT
Introduction: The formation of pathological scar in omphaloplasty compromises the result of the abdominoplasty. Many techniques have been proposed with the objective to prevent such unfavorable evolution. Method: Seventy five patients submitted to abdominoplasty successively had been placed, randomized, into two groups. The first group (n=38) was composed for three circular techniques and the second group (n=37) by three non-circular techniques. The results had been analyzed with one, two, four and six postoperative months, concerning the presence of cicatricial hypertrophy or stenosis, the subjective satisfaction of the patients and the satisfaction of the surgeon (based in the incidence of the other criteria). The statistic analysis was carried through with the accurate test of Fisher (significant for p < 0.05). Results: By the end of six months, in the group of circular techniques, seven (18.2%) patient kept stenosis, eight (22.2%) said themselves unsatisfied with the aspect of the umbilical scar, and in the evaluation of the surgeon, nine (23.7%) patients presented inadequate result. In the group of the non-circular techniques, one (2.7%) patient kept stenosis, one (2.7%) said herself unsatisfied, and in the evaluation of the surgeon, five (13.6%) patients presented inadequate result. The use of non-circular techniques showed significant difference concerning the satisfaction of the patient (p=0.0286) and almost significant (p=0.0561) concerning the formation of stenosis. The use of circular techniques showed a relative risk seven times bigger in the prevalence of stenosis. All other parameters had not shown significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: The non-circular techniques of omphaloplasty, in this casuistry, have provided greater satisfaction to the patients. The comparison of several parameters between different techniques of omphaloplasty contributes for the elaboration of an ideal drawing of scar.
Keywords: Umbilicus/surgery. Plastic surgery. Outcome assessment.