Bilateral lumbar hip dermal fat rotation flaps: a novel technique for autologous augmentation gluteoplasty.

Background: The present study reports a novel technique for augmentation and/or correction of deformities in the gluteal region. This technique is applicable to patients with skin excess, skin flaccidity, and/or ptosis, and for redundant skin folds in the lower back region, that often occur following the surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

Methods: In a retrospective review, nine female patients, aged 27 to 64 years, underwent the bilateral lumbar hip dermal fat rotation flaps procedure for gluteal augmentation. The patients were observed over a period of 3 months to 4 years. Gluteal projection was measured with a standardized computed tomographic scan in two patients. Complications were analyzed.

Results: The postoperative photographs and the measurements taken by computed tomographic scan proved that the gluteal projection had been increased satisfactorily with this innovative procedure. Three complications were observed, the major one being a hematoma that required reoperation.

Conclusion: Bilateral lumbar hip dermal fat rotation flaps is an ultimate technique that should be performed in selected patients to create a harmonic autologous augmentation of the buttocks region. Although the complication rate of this technique was high, it was similar to that in some authors' reports for belt lipectomy.