Comparison between Vacuum Drain and Passive Drain in Abdominoplasty: Randomized Clinical Study

Haredy, Mostafa Mamdoh; Fanos, Pola Fayez; Mohammed, Noha Osman; Abdelmegeed, Ahmed Gaber

doi:10.21608/ejprs.2025.359359.1405

Comparison between Vacuum Drain and Passive Drain in Abdominoplasty: Randomized Clinical Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Plastic Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

² Plastic surgery, Sohag General Hospital, Sohag Egypt

³ Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University

10.21608/ejprs.2025.359359.1405

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Postoperative drainage is a commonly utilized technique that can be classified as either active or passive. In abdominoplasty procedures, suction drains are frequently employed to help prevent seroma formation. This study aimed to compare subcutaneous fluid accumulation when using a vacuum drain versus a passive drain during abdominoplasty surgery.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 20 patients, both male and female, aged between 20 and 60 years. They presented varying degrees of excess abdominal skin and fat, along with different levels of abdominal muscle laxity. These conditions stemmed from changes in abdominal volume due to bariatric surgery, weight loss through diet, or multiple pregnancies. The participants were equally assigned to two groups: the Vacuum group, which received treatment with a vacuum drain, and the Passive group, which was managed using a passive drain.
Results: There were no significant distinctions between the two groups in terms of age, weight, height, body mass index, or existing health conditions. Both groups were composed exclusively of female patients. The amount of fluid collected in the drain and the timing of its removal remained consistent between the groups across days 1 through 5. Additionally, postoperative complications showed no significant variation between the two groups.
Conclusions: Both vacuum and passive drains are generally regarded as safe for use in abdominoplasty procedures. There were no notable differences between the two groups concerning age, weight, height, body mass index, or comorbidities. All patients in both groups were female. Moreover, the drain output volume and the timing of drain removal remained consistent between the groups across days 1 through 5.

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