Introduction

Gluteal augmentation has become increasingly common due to a rise in bariatric surgery in North America as well as because of ingrained cultural ideals, combined with increasingly easy access to esthetic surgery in South America. Projection of the gluteal region has become a sign of a well-sculpted body, and consequently, is a goal of individuals who seek body contouring procedures. While Bartels et al were the first to report silicone gluteal augmentation in 1969,¹ more recently, numerous autologous procedures have been developed, including fat grafting, dermal-fat grafting, and, more recently, dermal-fat flaps.^2–10 Indeed, fat grafting plays an important role in gluteal augmentation in selected patients with low complication rates; however, it may not work well in patients after weight loss. Excess of skin combined with muscle hypotonia and skin flaccidity in patients after significant weight loss may contraindicate fat grafting procedures. For these patients, Agris,¹¹ based on the work of Pitanguy,^12,13 proposed the use of dermal-fat suspension flaps for thigh and buttock lifts. In addition, Gonzalez-Ulloa,¹⁴ Guerrerosantos¹⁵ and many others have proposed several types of adipocutaneous flaps to improve contours in this region.^16,17

Flaps proposed in the past have provided little projection to the upper gluteal region and are based on de-epithelialization of the gluteal region commonly discarded after major body contouring and circumferential body lift procedures. Pascal and Le Louarn¹⁸ should be credited for noticing the importance of preserving the de-epithelialized upper excess of soft tissue to better shape the gluteal region, avoiding the hollow aspect of the upper pole seen in patients with a lack of gluteal muscle tone. Progressive understanding of perforator anatomy in the gluteal region allows surgeons to respond appropriately to patient complaints and desires.¹⁹ The superior gluteal region, which is either discarded in body contouring procedures or simply de-epithelialized, can now be used to offer additional augmentation to the gluteal sagittal projection, treating the ptotic and sagging buttock. The edges of the superior gluteal dermal-fat flaps can be rotated to the midline to add volume to the gluteal region.

The purpose of this article is to describe our 8-year experience with gluteal augmentation using dermal-fat rotation flaps and to discuss the indications, proper location of the flaps, pitfalls of preoperative markings, postoperative complications, and instruments to both determine the success of surgery and to evaluate the flaps postoperatively.

Preoperative Preparation

With the patient in a standing position, we pull the excess skin cephalad with our open hand on the hip region. Then, beginning about 4 cm above the coccyx, a line is marked in the direction of the iliac region, usually a little bit below the anterior iliac spine. This line will join a classic abdominoplasty scar at some position where it curves anterolaterally. When an abdominal scar does not exist, the line is marked on the projected scar of a supposed abdominoplasty. With the fingers pinching the skin at the lumbar region, we determine the amount of skin excess to be resected. Next, on the lumbar region, we mark a second line at the superior aspect of the skin excess. The second line is initially parallel to the first, but then continues laterally to the upper anterior iliac spine to be joined with the first line at either the classic abdominal scar or its supposed projected position. These markings result in a long fusiform-shaped area between two points, both beginning and finishing inferior to the anterior superior iliac spine (Fig. 37.1). The direction of this line depends on the skin excess and is usually asymmetric. Occasionally, the union point of these two lines extends as far as the hemiclavicular line or even into the pubic region.

FIG. 37.1 Preoperative markings.

(A) The pinch test is used as a helpful maneuver in the preoperative markings section. (B) The markings are based on the preoperative excess of skin in each patient and may change according to individual patient characteristics.

Surgical Technique

Under general or epidural anesthesia, the patient is placed in a ventral decubitus position. The fusiform-shaped area is de-epithelialized, and an incision is made along the inferior edge of this area to the gluteal muscle fascia and then in a direction near the gluteal fold, producing an adipocutaneous flap (a pocket to receive the dermal-fat rotation flaps) (Figs 37.2 and 37.3). Next, incisions are made along the superior edge of the fusiform-shaped area down to the lumbar–hip musculature aponeurosis. A sagittal incision along the midline of the fusiform-shaped area is then made. The medial and lateral segments of the dermal-fat flaps are undermined, maintaining a large pedicle in the region corresponding to the position of the gluteal perforator’s vessels. The two segments are rotated and either sutured together in the muscle plane or alternatively fixed with a Reverdin needle, and transcutaneous fixation sutures are tied to gauze and buttoned over the transfixed skin near the gluteal region (Fig. 37.4). The inferior adipocutaneous flaps are brought over the dermal-fat flaps in an upward direction and sutured to the upper lumbar–hip skin border using biplanar wound closure. The same procedure is performed on the contralateral side. We also perform numerous quilting sutures to fix the gluteal skin flaps to the aponeurosis after rotation of the dermal-fat flaps. This maneuver has proven to be efficient in diminishing the seroma rate in abdominoplasty and has similar effects in the gluteal region. Another maneuver used during the undermining of the dermal-fat skin flaps is to leave a fat layer over the gluteal fascia to decrease seroma formation. These technical details have been responsible for decreasing the duration of drainage.

FIG. 37.2 (A) Illustration of the fusiform-shaped area being de-epithelialized. (B) Intraoperative photograph showing the dermal-fat flaps before elevation.

FIG. 37.3 Bilateral gluteal pockets are created above the gluteal muscle fascia plane to receive the dermal-fat rotation flap.

FIG. 37.4 (A) Intraoperative photograph showing the edges of the dermal-fat rotation flaps being elevated and prepared for rotation to provide projection to the upper pole of the gluteal region. (B) Illustration of the rotated dermal-fat flaps being sutured to the gluteal muscle fascia.

In cases in which the preoperative marking lines reach the anterior abdominal wall, the operation is begun with the patient in the dorsal decubitus position, and after rotation of the two anterior dermal flaps to the back, the patient is changed to the ventral decubitus position, and the lumbar-hip dermal-fat flaps are fashioned. Two large suction drains are placed in each side at the end of both the dermal-fat flap insertion and adipocutaneous flap rotation, and the patient is kept in the hospital in either the ventral or lateral decubitus position until at least the first postoperative day. Overall, patients were satisfied with the surgical outcomes as well as the longevity of the new shape of the gluteal region achieved with this operation (Figs 37.5–37.11).

FIG. 37.5 (A) Preoperative photograph of patient showing small gluteal projections. (B) Postoperative view after dermal-fat rotation flap gluteoplasty. Notice the projection and shape of the buttocks. (C) Long-term follow up (6 years after surgery) of the same patient. Notice the long-lasting results as well as improvements in the quality of the scar.