Clinical and perioperative outcomes of abdominal wall reconstruction and panniculectomy in a single surgical procedure: experience from a high-complexity center in bogotá, Colombia.

PURPOSE: Patients with obesity and a large pannus may benefit from the simultaneous performance of panniculectomy and ventral hernia repair. However, the literature reports conflicting results regarding an increased risk of surgical site events when both procedures are performed concurrently. This study aimed to describe the outcomes of patients undergoing simultaneous ventral hernia repair and panniculectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective single-arm cohort study was conducted, including consecutive patients who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction and panniculectomy during the same surgical procedure at a high-complexity center in Bogotá, Colombia, between 2014 and 2024. Demographic data, intraoperative variables, and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 171 patients underwent combined abdominal wall reconstruction and panniculectomy in a single surgical session. The mean age was 54 ± 12.8 years, and the average body mass index (BMI) was 27.77 ± 4.7. Male patients accounted for 26.3% of the cohort. The most common complications were seroma, hematoma, and skin dehiscence. The median hospital stay was 2 days (± 3.3). Early discharge with continued recovery through a home hospitalization program was achieved in 11.1% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal wall reconstruction combined with panniculectomy is a feasible surgical strategy that not only restores the dynamic functionality of the abdominal wall but also improves the patient’s aesthetic appearance. This study represents the first published experience in Latin America aiming to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and clinical benefits of this combined approach in real-world medical practice.