Cutis pleonasmus

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Cutis pleonasmus is an acquired disorder that arises following massive weight loss, in which redundant skin hangs loosely in folds. Weight loss may follow behaviour modification (diet, exercise), bariatric surgery, or correction of an underlying medical disorder. It is characterized by skin that is loose, lacking in elasticity, often featuring striae distensae if the original weight gain was rapid. Intertrigal areas between the folds are often complicated by friction and humidity leading to skin breakdown, and yeast infections, and bacterial skin infection leading to gangrene may occur. The anterior abdominal area is most often affected (the apron of redundant skin called a pannus), and lymphedema can arise within the pannus further predisposing to skin breakdown and infection. Other areas commonly involved are the breasts, arms and medial thighs. The buttock area often features a loss of muscle mass and adipose tissue, resulting in an exaggeration of the skin redundancy. The face, back and any other area experiencing significant weight loss may be involved. The disorder is distinguished from cutis laxa, a genetic disorder.

Treatment for cutis pleonasmus is performed by plastic surgeons, and involves one or more operations to excise the excess skin and fat and tailor the remaining tissues to establish normal bodily form and function.

In 2005, Kreidstein first proposed the term “cutis pleonasmus,” which means the excess skin that remains after massive weight loss.