Experimental model for evaluation of the cutaneous sensitivity of the abdomen

The purpose of this study is to report an experimental model to evaluate several modalities of sensibility and to map the areas of the abdominal wall with decreased sensibility after abdominoplasty. Patients were divided in two groups: in the control group, patients had no previous abdominal incisions and patients of the experimental group had been undergone abdominoplasty. The sensibility evaluation of patients from the experimental group was made from 12 to 60 months after the operation. The abdominal skin was divided into twelve areas; nine of them were above the abdominoplasty incision and three below it. Sensibility to superficial touch, superficial pain, hot and cold temperature, vibration was tested and recorded as positive if the patient mentioned that he felt the stimulation or negative. Sensibility to pressure was tested with the use of different weights; therefore, a value was obtained when the patient felt the pressure. A specific test was used to evaluate each modality of sensibility. The experimental model designed to test skin sensibility after abdominoplasty showed to be feasible in patients.