Liposuction-assisted medial thighplasty may well be the next step in maximizing outcomes—and minimizing complications—of traditionally problematic medial thigh-contouring procedures.
That’s the major finding of a study led by Dallas plastic surgeon Bryan S. Armijo, M.D., who pursued the study because medial thigh presents difficulties for body contouring in both the aging and massive weight-loss patient.
The study focuses on 45 patients, ages 30 to 67 years, who underwent medial thigh contouring with liposuction-assisted medial thighplasty. Twenty-nine of the patients presented with aging thigh lipodystrophy, 16 were massive weight-loss lipodystrophy patients. After anatomical analysis of the medial thigh, noting skin and fat redundancy, patients were selected for either an upper/inner medial thighplasty or an extended medial thighplasty.
Liposuction evacuation volumes ranged from 175 to 1950 mL per thigh. Ten patients had minor wound breakdown, which healed after conservative treatment.
The research team concludes that liposuction-assisted medial thighplasty is a safe, efficient and reproducible procedure that should follow four basic steps:
- L-shaped anterior markings
- Superwet infiltration
- Circumferential combined superficial ultrasound- and suction-assisted liposuction
- Pre-designed and -patterned skin excision and layered closure
According to the authors, the procedure preserves the lymphatics and nerves, minimizes blood loss and maintains the saphenous vein system to prevent skin loss and wound breakdown.
“The procedure produces reliable and predictable results, with optimal outcomes,” the authors write. “This technique offers another refinement in the evolution of medial thigh contouring.”
The study appears in the November issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
