Medial Thigh Contouring in Massive Weight Loss: A Liposuction-Assisted Medial Thigh Lift

Pietro Gentile,Verdiana Di Pietro,Marcello Colicchia Gianfranco,Valerio Cervelli

doi:10.29252/wjps.8.2.171

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThigh’s lifting can be associated with significant complications, if the medial thigh excess is removed en bloc. In this study, the liposuction-assisted medial thigh’s lift (LAMeT) procedure, outcomes and complications were assessed.METHODSTwenty four females between 25 and 61 years with grade 2 or 3 on Pittsburgh Rating Scale (PRS) treated with medial thigh’s reduction were enrolled. Medial thigh’s reduction was performed in three different procedures of vertical, horizontal and LAMeT. Vertical thigh’s lift with fascia suspension was conducted in 13 patients with grade 3 of ptosis on PRS; horizontal thigh’s lift with fascia suspension was undertaken in 3 patients with grade 2 on PRS; vertical and horizontal thigh’s lift considered as control group was described as excision-only group; and LAMeT was performed in 8 patients with grade 2 and 3 on PRS. RESULTSComplications were observed in 62.5% of patients who underwent vertical or horizontal thigh’s lift with fascia suspension and in 16.7% who experienced the LAMeT without fascia suspension. The most frequent complication was seroma. Hospital stay was significantly lower in the LAMeT.CONCLUSIONMedial thigh’s lift is a safe and satisfying procedure because it provides aesthetic improvement in massive weight loss patients. The complication rate is higher when skin excess and laxity are removed en bloc, as the resection of excess tissue is poorly selective. The LAMeT preserves lymphatic and blood vessels and allows a more anatomical resection of the excess skin. Thus postoperative complications incidence is lower and the patient heals faster.

Highlights

Complications were observed in 62.5% of patients who underwent vertical or horizontal thigh’s lift with fascia suspension and in
16.7% who experienced the LAMeT without fascia suspension
The growing popularity of bariatric surgery was determined by the increase in the massive weight loss population

Summary

Introduction

The growing popularity of bariatric surgery was determined by the increase in the massive weight loss population. If substantial weight loss occurs, the skin laxity remaining at the level of arms, abdomen, hips and thighs can be significant enough to cause functional impairment, recurrent skin infections, as well as considerable psychological discomfort. (i) It is a humid area, so wounds tend to heal more slowly; (ii) The skin is thin and weak; wound complications are likely to happen; (iii) The closeness of the anus and of the external genitals increases the risk of infection of the wound; (iv) The lymphatic vessels are very superficial and there is a high risk of lymphedema if are damaged; (v) The superficial venous system can be damaged during the resection causing upper limb edema; (vi) The scars often tend to enlarge due to the high tension of the sutures; and (vii) Scar retraction in the inguinal fold may cause labia majora and vaginal deformation.[1,2]. Since other techniques were introduced in the attempt to correct the skin laxity, reduce the postoperative complications and have good aesthetic results.[4,5,6,7,8]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion