Journal of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery

An Unusual Case of a Sunken Umbilicus Post Abdominoplasty Complicated by a Keloid

Background: A 34-year-old female patient presented to the Emergency Room with a suspected umbilical abscess status post abdominoplasty 2 years prior. Intraoperatively, it was discovered that her umbilicus was sunken and buried under a keloid scar.

Case report: Our patient, a 34-year-old female, presented with complaints of periumbilical pain and swelling. After initial imaging on CT showed periumbilical soft tissue inflammation, the patient was taken to the operating room for an incision and drainage. Intraoperatively, it was discovered that her umbilicus was sunken and buried under a keloid scar. While keloids themselves are not a rare phenomenon, a sunken umbilicus covered by a keloid has not been described.

Conclusion: Keloid scars pose a challenge for physicians because they are difficult to treat, have a negative impact on patient expectations due to suboptimal results, and may require additional procedures for correction. Further research into such local postoperative complications is needed to elucidate optimal treatments and preventative measures, thereby reducing complication rates and improving aesthetic outcomes. Here we investigate the different techniques to help combat the complications of keloid scarring.

Author(s):

Stephanie A Luster*, Oluwatobiloba Adenuga, J’nae Smith, Swathi Mohankumar, Guny Gabriel

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