What Are the Advantages of Using PTS Sutures for a Tummy Tuck Procedure?

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advantage sutures technique

6 Doctor Answers | Asked by AlexandraElizabeth in Houston,TX

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Progressive Tension Sutures are great in tummy tucks.

Hi. They do several very good things. 1) They tighten the upper abdomen. 2) They markedly lower the risk of a seroma. 3) They decrease the tension in the scar. 4) They often eliminate the need for drains.

Stitching techniques in tummy tucks

Dear Alexandra By PTS sutures, I presume you mean Progressive Tension Sutures (also known as quilting sutures). The principle behind using these internal stitches is twofold: firstly, they reduce the "deadspace" or cavity, limiting how much fluid can build up in the wound area; and secondly, because of the tension they spread over the whole of the abdominoplasty flap, they avoid all the strain being put on the area of the scar above the pubic hair (which is what happens in a traditional... more

Progressive Tension Sutures for Tummy Tuck

This is a technique I commonly use for my tummy tuck patients and DIEP flap breast reconstruction patients, where abdominal tissue is harvested to recreate a breast. It helps remove the drains more quickly by carefully placing sutures to approximate the abdominal soft tissue to the underlying muscle. The key is placing the suture such that they do not result in skin dimpling or contour deformities. With proper use, I have been able to remove my... more

Sutures in Tummy Tucks

PTS sutures can mean Progressive Tension Sutures which are placed between the skin/fat layer and the deep fascia layer progressively as the excess skin/fat is pulled inferiorly and are designed to prevent space between the two layers, thus reducing the risk of fluid accumulation. Drains, when used properly, and other methods also do this. There is another similar sounding suture, the PDS suture that is frequently used in Tummy Tucks and other procedures to improve the eventual scar. These... more

PTS Suture Technique

I am assuming you are referring to progressive tension sutures when you asked about PTS. This is a technique were sutures are strategically placed to eliminated the empty space (ie dead space) that requires healing after a tummy tuck. Some surgeons advocate for this techniques while others feel it does not add that much to the procedure or the patient's postoperative experience. It is one of the techniques available to plastic surgeons to help their patients... more

Progressive Tension Sutures and Abdominoplasty

Dear AlexandraLynn, I assume that you mean Progressive Tension Sutures and there are a number of reasons to use them in an abdominoplasty. First, they close up the "dead space" between the two layers in an abdominoplasty diminishing the risk of a seroma. Two, they distribute the tension on the abdominal flap more evenly. This means less stress on the incision closure site and hopefully a better final scar. Third, the PTS allows the surgeon to shape the... more