Background Protein intake plays a critical role in postoperative recovery and wound healing, particularly in procedures such as abdominoplasty. While ERAS protocols emphasize nutritional optimization, evidence in non-bariatric patients undergoing elective body contouring remains limited. Objectives To evaluate the effects of early postoperative protein supplementation on wound healing outcomes, complication rates and recovery time in patients undergoing full abdominoplasty. Methods A retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted on 200 non-bariatric patients undergoing standardized full abdominoplasty. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving daily protein supplementation (≥1.2 g/kg/day using whey isolate or hydrolyzed collagen peptides) initiated within 24 h postoperatively for at least 14 days, and a control group with no supplementation. Outcomes measured included wound dehiscence, seroma formation, surgical site infections (SSI), time to complete healing, and patient satisfaction. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariate regression models. Results The supplemented group showed significantly lower wound dehiscence (6% vs. 17%, p = 0.018) and reduced seroma incidence (9% vs. 18%, p = 0.048). Time to complete healing was shorter in the supplemented group (16.8 ± 3.4 days vs. 20.5 ± 4.2 days; p < 0.001). While SSI incidence was not significantly different (4% vs. 10%, p = 0.092), a favorable trend was noted. Multivariate regression confirmed protein supplementation as an independent predictor of faster healing (β = − 2.94; 95% CI − 4.36 to − 1.52). Conclusions Postoperative protein supplementation significantly improves wound healing and reduces complications in patients undergoing abdominoplasty, even outside the bariatric population. These findings support the incorporation of targeted nutritional protocols into routine perioperative care pathways for abdominoplasty. While the study did not formally evaluate an ERAS protocol, its results are consistent with the general principles of enhanced recovery, emphasizing the role of early nutritional support in improving postoperative outcomes. Level of Evidence III This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors <a href="https://www.springer.com/00266">www.springer.com/00266</a>.

Early Protein Supplementation Enhances Wound Healing and Reduces Complications Following Abdominoplasty: A Controlled Study in Non-bariatric Patients

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年2月9日

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Agostino Bruno,
Alessio D’Antimi

摘要

Background

Protein intake plays a critical role in postoperative recovery and wound healing, particularly in procedures such as abdominoplasty. While ERAS protocols emphasize nutritional optimization, evidence in non-bariatric patients undergoing elective body contouring remains limited.

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of early postoperative protein supplementation on wound healing outcomes, complication rates and recovery time in patients undergoing full abdominoplasty.

Methods

A retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted on 200 non-bariatric patients undergoing standardized full abdominoplasty. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving daily protein supplementation (≥1.2 g/kg/day using whey isolate or hydrolyzed collagen peptides) initiated within 24 h postoperatively for at least 14 days, and a control group with no supplementation. Outcomes measured included wound dehiscence, seroma formation, surgical site infections (SSI), time to complete healing, and patient satisfaction. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariate regression models.

Results

The supplemented group showed significantly lower wound dehiscence (6% vs. 17%, p = 0.018) and reduced seroma incidence (9% vs. 18%, p = 0.048). Time to complete healing was shorter in the supplemented group (16.8 ± 3.4 days vs. 20.5 ± 4.2 days; p < 0.001). While SSI incidence was not significantly different (4% vs. 10%, p = 0.092), a favorable trend was noted. Multivariate regression confirmed protein supplementation as an independent predictor of faster healing (β = − 2.94; 95% CI − 4.36 to − 1.52).

Conclusions

Postoperative protein supplementation significantly improves wound healing and reduces complications in patients undergoing abdominoplasty, even outside the bariatric population. These findings support the incorporation of targeted nutritional protocols into routine perioperative care pathways for abdominoplasty. While the study did not formally evaluate an ERAS protocol, its results are consistent with the general principles of enhanced recovery, emphasizing the role of early nutritional support in improving postoperative outcomes.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.