A recent study out of Belgium presents what the authors call “a novel approach” to large-volume gluteal augmentation.
Working on the basis that a simple, reproducible surgical technique for gluteal shaping and augmentation with autologous fat is needed, the authors — plastic surgeons from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tivoli, Brussels — describe a technique that combines power-assisted liposculpting and fat harvesting around the buttock with autologous fat transfer.
“To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the use of power-assisted technology for gluteal augmentation and sculpting by combined liposuction of the areas around the buttock and large-volume fat transfer to the buttock by vibration and tunnelization."
Saad A. Dibo, M.D., Study Co-Author
In their prospective study, the authors evaluated 110 patients who underwent gluteal augmentation. Liposculpting and fat harvesting were performed with power-assisted liposuction, and the fat was then transferred to the gluteal region with simultaneous power-assisted vibration and tunnelization. Operating times ranged from 60 to 120 minutes. Liposuction volumes ranged from 1400 to 5000 mL, and injection volumes ranged from 300 to 900 mL per side for each session.
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Patients were monitored for an average of 20 months (range, 12 to 48 months). Five of the 110 patients reported a burning sensation, three reported persistent lower-back swelling and one patient experienced a mild infection. Six months after the procedure, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing the extent of their satisfaction.
Based on their observations and patient input, the authors report that power-assisted gluteal augmentation with autologous fat is an efficient, safe and reproducible procedure that produces an aesthetically pleasing gluteal contour.
“Autologous fat grafting to the buttocks has become popular during the past decade because it is versatile and associated with a lower complication rate than gluteal implantation,” study co-author Saad A. Dibo, M.D., tells Cosmetic Surgery Times. “To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the use of power-assisted technology for gluteal augmentation and sculpting by combined liposuction of the areas around the buttock and large-volume fat transfer to the buttock by vibration and tunnelization. This technique enhances tissue competency for large-volume fat grafting by decreasing the operative time without compromising the safety of the procedure.”
The study appears in the November 2015 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
