What are quilting sutures for a drainless tummy tuck?

Quilting sutures are what holds the skin flap down to the muscles at the end of the case. This closes what we refer to as a "potential space" so that the fluid cannot accumulate in any significant amount. The small amount that does accumulate is usually easily absorbed by the body. Hope that helps!

Over the years, surgeons have improved procedures and found ways to eliminate the need for #drains commonly used in a #tummy #tuck or #abdominoplasty, and a variety of other operations. I have found that most of my patients do very well with the exception of those have large areas of liposuction or lipo-abdominoplasty. Any extra fluid may be reabsorbed back into the body without the use of drains.  I may use drains on a case by case basis for these patients. If you go to a plastic #surgeon who uses drains, or if your situation requires drains, they usually stay in 3-5 days but may be required to remain in longer. The use of tissue #glue is to adhere the abdominal #skin to the #muscle. It is a new option and alternative to sutures in a tummy tuck. If you go to a plastic #surgeon who uses drains, or if your situation requires drains, they usually stay in 3-5 days but may be required to remain in longer. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will recommend the type best suited for you. The most important decision to be made before performing any surgical procedure is determining whether you are an ideal #candidate.

Thanks for your question.It used to be that the abdominal skin in tummy tuck was elevated, and then just relaid onto the abdominal wall allowing time and the compression of the abdominal binder to heal the two together. Quilting actively sews the skin to the abdominal In an effort to make it heal more quickly.While some doctors who quilt do not leave drains (less room for fluid to collect) I still find drains a good safety precaution as fluid collections could lead to infection.In my opinion quilting does help patients to heal faster, have fewer fluid collections, get drains out much earlier and even helps keep the scar lower. By taking tension off of the lower abdominal skin I believe that quilting minimizes the risk of healing issues as well.Hope this helps.

Few advances in tummy tuck surgery have moved us onward like the concept of progressive tension. Surgeons defer in tecniques of quilting but the evidence based studies prove quilting to be safer than drain tummy tucks in preventing seromas and patient comfort. See a board certified plastic surgeon who does a ton of these operations and ask her, or him, how many have they done last year? Don't settle for vague answers and good luck.

Thank you for your questions. Quilting sutures, also referred to as progressive tension sutures, are sutures that tack the skin flap back down to the abdominal wall to help eliminate the pocket that was created under the skin in order to pull down and stretch the skin. Placing the sutures not only takes tension off of the lower abdominal incision but it also eliminates the need for a drain or shortens the duration that the drain needs to be in place because the space where fluid can develop has been closed down by these sutures. This is a technique utilized by many surgeons.

Quilting sutures are used to close down the so called 'dead space' underneath the abdominal skin flap brought down over the removed lower abdominal tissues in a tummy tuck procedures. By helping the tissues to stick together earlier, the amount of fluid that is produced is less. Any fluid that does occur is absorbed naturally.

Generally we use drainage tubes to remove fluid that might accumulate under the skin after a tummy tuck. This helps make the overlying skin and fat re-attach to the underlying muscle layer. Some of us have found that the closing off of this space by stitching those two layers together can eliminate the use of the drain tube. It does take longer for the procedure but does eliminate the need for a drain in most patients. I have done it both ways and really see no difference in the final result.

Quilting sutures basically allow the skin to be sewn down the abdominal wall. This not only takes tension off the scar, but shuts down a lot of the extra space in the abdomen where fluid could build up. I personally do these type sutures but also always do a drain in order to catch any extra fluid for a week or two.