Background: The aesthetic and natural appearance of the transposed umbilicus after abdominoplasty is a key factor to the overall result and satisfaction of patient and surgeon alike. In this article, the authors present a technique in umbilical transposition that creates a natural-appearing umbilicus.
Methods: The skin in the neoumbilical position is deepithelialized and incised in the midline, thus creating two dermal flaps that are sutured down to the abdominal fascia, thereby creating a natural periumbilical concavity, inconspicuous scars, and a tension-free closure, resulting in a decreased chance for cicatricial umbilical scarring. Twenty patients underwent umbilical transposition during abdominoplasty with this technique between 2003 and 2005.
Results: Both patient and surgeon satisfaction were very high, with three senior surgeons changing their surgical technique after being introduced to that described in this article. One complication culminated in partial skin dehiscence early in our experience when deep dermal sutures were not used for skin closure.
Conclusion: The technique described is simple, safe, and easily learned, and results in a very satisfying aesthetic and natural-appearing umbilicus in patients after abdominoplasty.