Monday, October 31, 2011

Pannus

We had a Pt that was over 400 lbs and had a "Pannus" which the attending described as a hardening of the tissue and skin of the flab of fat that was hanging down beyond her knees. After a quick wikipedia, I see that Pannus is incorrectly used in place of a Panniculus.

A Panniculus is a medical term describing a dense layer of fatty tissue growth, consisting of subcutaneous fat in the lower abdominal area.[1] It can be a result of obesity and can be mistaken for a tumor or hernia. Abdominal panniculus can be removed during abdominal panniculectomy, a type of abdominoplasty. A panniculus can also be the result of loose tissues after pregnancy or massive weight loss.[2]

[edit] Grading of abdominal panniculiGrade 1
Panniculus barely covers the hairline and mons pubis but not the genitalia.
Grade 2
Extends to cover the genitalia.
Grade 3
Extends to cover the upper thigh
Grade 4
Extends to cover the mid thigh.
Grade 5
Extends to cover the knees or beyond.

1 comment: