Comparison of Complication Rates of Different Autologous Gluteal Augmentation Techniques in 185 Consecutive Body Lift Surgeries in Massive Weight Loss Patients

Introduction

Patients who experience massive weight loss often face extensive circumferential truncal deformities, including buttock deflation. Body lift surgery is an effective method for regaining body shape, and concomitant gluteal augmentation addresses deformed buttocks. This study aimed to compare complication rates among different gluteal autoaugmentation techniques.

Methods

A total of 273 patients were operated on between 2019 and 2024. Of these, 185 patients with complete records and follow-up for at least 3 months were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: Those with a body lift with combined autoaugmentation and those without. In addition, the gluteal autoaugmentation group was divided into three groups according to the gluteal autoaugmentation technique: lipofilling, deepidermised fasciocutaneous island flap and deepidermised fasciocutaneous transposition flap groups.

Results

No major complications were recorded in either group. There was no statistically significant difference in complications between patients who underwent concomitant gluteal autoaugmentation and those who did not. The early complication rates in the lipofilling and transposition flap groups were statistically significantly higher than in the island flap group (p < 0.05), while the lipofilling and transposition flap groups did not show any statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Gluteal autoaugmentation with flaps is a safe procedure with minimal complication rates. Combining body lift surgery with gluteal augmentation techniques such as island or transposition flaps or lipofilling does not increase the risk of complications.

Level of Evidence I

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