SynthesisAesthetic surgery journal2024
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Surgical Outcomes of Progressive Tension Suturing Compared to Drains in Abdominoplasty Surgery.
Synthesis in Aesthetic surgery journal, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- High-Precision Electrosurgical Scalpel for Scarpa Sparing Abdominoplasty - Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Efficacy and Safety.Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2026Trial
- Donor-site Seroma in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Pooled Analysis.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- Review
- Drainless Day-procedure Abdominoplasty: Reduced Pain and Fewer Complications in 210 Consecutive Cases.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- Drainless Lipoabdominoplasty Using Progressive Tension Sutures, Scarpa's Fascia Preservation, and Minimal Cautery in 350 Consecutive Cases.Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum · 2026Article
- Systemic Administration of Tranexamic Acid Improves Postoperative Outcome in Abdominoplasty.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Closed suction drains are placed to prevent seroma formation after abdominoplasty, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited, and they may increase infection risk and patient discomfort. Previous meta-analyses comparing progressive tension suturing (PTS) to drainage (D) in abdominoplasty have been methodologically weak and small in sample size. In this study we aimed to conduct the first robust systematic review comparing PTS and D outcomes in abdominoplasty. The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022346106). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from September 19, 2022, to February 19, 2024. Data were pooled with a random effects Mantel-Haenszel model. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane's risk-of-bias tool and the ROBINS-I tool for randomized controlled trials and observational studies, respectively. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) system evaluated methodological quality. PTS significantly reduced postoperative seroma rates (relative risk [RR] 0.34; 95% CI 0.15-0.76; P = .001) and reoperation rates (RR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.03-9.77; P = .05) compared to drains, with no significant differences in hematomas, infections, or dehiscence. The review included 24 studies with 750 patients, including 2 randomized controlled trials, and was found to be methodologically superior by AMSTAR 2 criteria. Subgroup analysis indicated that combining liposuction with PTS significantly reduced seromas (RR 0.18; 95%CI 0.00-7.39; P < .00001), infections (RR 0.16; 95% CI 0.03-0.86; P = .03), and dehiscence (RR 0.11; 95% CI 0.01-1.01; P = .05). This robust meta-analysis showed that PTS was more effective than drains in reducing seroma and reoperation rates, with no difference for hematomas or infections. Combining liposuction with PTS may be superior to placing drains. Larger, high-quality studies are needed to further assess the safety and efficacy of drainless abdominoplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1:
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