The Use of Postoperative Compression Garments in Plastic Surgery—Necessary or Not? A Practical Review

Abstract

Summary: This practical review critically evaluates the evidence behind the widespread use of postoperative compression therapy intended to improve surgical outcomes, such as reduced edema, ecchymosis, pain, and seroma formation. A literature search of PubMed was conducted to identify relevant studies concerning the use of compression garments after aesthetic surgery, including rhinoplasty, facelift, neck lift, mammoplasty, abdominoplasty, limb contouring, and others. Additionally, reconstructive and therapeutic procedures closely related in anatomy or technique to these cosmetic operations, such as breast reconstruction, mastectomy, and hernia repair, were also considered to provide further perspective. After study extraction, the volume, quality, and agreement of the evidence found was highly heterogenous depending on the context of specific operations and outcomes evaluated. The most well-supported indications for the use of postoperative compression garments are to mitigate edema and ecchymosis after rhinoplasty and to reduce postoperative pain after breast and abdominal procedures, although no effect on seroma rate was demonstrated. Any potential benefit must be balanced against the associated costs and possible complications of compression, including patient discomfort, increased venous stasis, and skin defects. Thus, we encourage surgeons to critically reassess their use of compression garments. In many settings, such as brachioplasty, there is limited high-quality evidence to inform best practice, and we urge the community to continue researching this important topic so that more definitive and comprehensive guidelines may be established.