Biomedical subjects

Paul A Watterson

Publications and source records attributed to Paul A Watterson.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Do progressive tension sutures really decrease complications in abdominoplasty?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of progressive tension sutures (PTS) in preventing or reducing seroma formation and local wound complications in patients undergoing abdominoplasty. Forty-nine patients who underwent abdominoplasty procedures with the use of PTS were retrospectively compared with a historical control group of 54 patients who underwent standard abdominoplasty. Primary outcomes measured were seroma formation and local wound complications, including hypertrophic scar formation, umbilical distortion, and wound necrosis. Secondary outcomes were all other complications and time to drain removal. Overall complication rates and local wound complication rates were significantly reduced with the addition of PTS to abdominoplasty. Seroma formation and the time to drain removal were reduced in the PTS group, but the findings were not statistically significant.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2002

Reverse sural artery flap: caveats for success.

Complex open wounds of the distal third of the leg and ankle remain a reconstructive challenge for the plastic surgeon. In many cases, these wounds are best addressed with a free tissue transfer. Although this group has performed more than 400 free flaps to the leg during the past 6 years, free tissue transfer can be an arduous operation that requires a team approach and substantial donor site morbidity for the patient. In recent years, the authors have favored the reverse sural artery fasciocutaneous flap in 11 patients for its ease of dissection, limited morbidity, and preservation of major vessels to the limb. Caveats for successful performance of the reverse sural artery flap include Doppler evidence of patent peroneal perforators, placement of a lazy T-shape skin paddle over the distal gastrocnemius muscle bellies, inclusion of the lesser saphenous vein to augment venous drainage, and, lastly, careful dissection to provide a wide adipofascial pedicle.

Adult↗