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. 2019 May;8(2):171-180.
doi: 10.29252/wjps.8.2.171.

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

Verdiana Di Pietro  1 , Marcello Colicchia Gianfranco  1 , Valerio Cervelli  2 , Pietro Gentile  1
Affiliations

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

Verdiana Di Pietro et al. World J Plast Surg. 2019 May.

Abstract

Background: Thigh'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.

Methods: Twenty 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.

Results: 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 most frequent complication was seroma. Hospital stay was significantly lower in the LAMeT.

Conclusion: Medial 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.

Keywords: Liposuction-Assisted Medial Thigh Lift; Medial thigh contouring; Weight loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
LAMeT preoperative markings. (A) Identification of the adductorcord. (B) Position of the ideal scar. (C) The ellipse of vertical resection. (D) Markings in the pubis area
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
LAMeT surgical technique step by step. (A) Liposuction area injection. (B) Liposuction of the ellipse of resection: all the subcutaneous fat has been removed. (C) Skin resection. (D) Resection of the excess skin in the pubis area
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A-B) Anterior and posteriorview of this 50-year-old woman who underwent LAMeT after gastric bypass and weight loss of 80 kg. (C-D) Three months postoperatively. Skin excess had been removed with functional and aesthetic improvement
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
(A-B) Anterior and posteriorview of this 52-year-old woman who underwent Liposuction Assisted Medial Thigh Lift after gastric bypass and weight loss of 50 kg. (C-D) Three months postoperatively. Note the location and the quality of the scar
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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