Lower Body Lifts with and without Buttock Augmentation. a 3D Morphometric Analysis

Goals/Purpose: Aim of this study was to compare circumferential body lifts with and without SGA perforator flap buttock augmentation. 3D Morphometric analysis focussed on shape changes (Projection/Lift) short term and long term.

Methods/Technique: 50 patients underwent a circumferential lower body lift procedure. 25 patients underwent the procedure without auto-augmentation of the gluteal region and 25 patients were operated including an auto-augmentation of the buttock area (modified SGAP rotation flap). Results were clinically compared and analysed using high resolution surface scanning. Morphometric 3D analysis was focussed on waist line changes, buttock projection and buttock lift. Patients were scanned pre-, post-surgery and 12 months follow up.

Results/Complications: In the group of patients who underwent the body lift procedure with buttock augmentation, a significant improvement of buttock contouring was detected immediately after surgery. Shape vector analysis showed a narrowing of waist line and augmented projection of the superior buttock area. The projection improvements measured directly after the surgery in the augmented group diminished slightly over the 12 months follow up but the lift component was consistent.

Conclusion: The auto-augmentation of the gluteal region in a body lift procedure via "SGA perforator rotation flap" is a safe technique to overcome the undesired flat buttock problem. 3D scanning is an objective method to compare and evaluate buttock augmentation techniques and assists to individualise procedures according to patient’s anatomy and expectations.