The Neo-Pitanguy Ligament: A Three-Flap Technique For Skin Tensioning.

BACKGROUND: Creating a stable, long-lasting supratip break continues to be a challenge, particularly in patients with moderate to severe skin thickness. Multiple techniques have been previously described to address this, including Pitanguy's ligament preservation, re-suturing, and cartilage frame alterations to increase the tip-to-septal angle differential. Each have noteworthy limitations. METHODS: The senior author developed a novel technique which utilizes the native Pitanguy ligament augmented by two bilateral, medially-based superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS)/soft tissue flaps. This reduces supratip dead space, prevents tissue glide while controlling supratip/tip shape and position. RESULTS: Twenty-six (n=26) primary rhinoplasties in which the supratip and tip skin sleeve was of appropriate thickness were selected and followed for 1-year post operatively. The tri-laminar neo-Pitanguy ligament (NPL) technique was employed in all patients. Every patient maintained a varied degree of supratip break at an average follow up time of 14 months (range: 12-16 months). There was one revision requiring local anesthesia. No patients requested or were indicated for a return to the operating room. No cases of post-operative pollybeak deformity were observed. CONCLUSION: The power of this novel supratip control technique is multidimensional. It allows the surgeon to precisely control the location of supratip break, creating a broad based, diamond-shaped supratip depression. Tri-lamination with the use of the two SMAS/soft tissue flaps provides added strength, control, and long-term stability compared to simple suturing. Soft tissue tensioning above, around, and below the new tip complex prevents dorsal skin tissue glide and further secures the infratip/columella in appropriate position.

Radiofrequency and Electrical Muscle Stimulation: A Synergistic Treatment That Achieves Lipolysis and Circumferential Waist Reduction in Noninvasive Body Contouring.

Background: Surgeons and providers in aesthetic medicine seek noninvasive devices that can be utilized for safe, efficient, and effective body contouring. Patient demand has propelled the development of novel devices that can simultaneously improve skin laxity, adipolysis along with stimulation of muscle hypertrophy. Objectives: To determine the efficacy of body contouring after 3 treatments using the noninvasive Transform (InMode, Lake Forest, CA) device. Methods: A prospective, multicenter study was performed. Outcomes evaluated include: standardized caliper and ultrasound measurements of abdominal skin/soft-tissue thickness, waist circumference, histologic evaluation, patient comfort, and satisfaction assessments. Results: Forty-four patients were successfully enrolled in the study and completed the series of 3 treatments which involved combined electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and noninvasive bipolar radiofrequency (RF). Abdominal ultrasound measurements reveal a decrease in soft-tissue thickness (average 3.1 mm; P = .001), there was a significant decrease in caliper measurements of periumbilical skin thickness (P < .003), and the average reduction of abdominal circumference was 1.9 cm (P < .0001) 3 months after the treatment series. Histology confirmed subcutaneous adipolysis without damaging the dermal layer. Patients reported a high degree of satisfaction with the overall result (P = .003) and that each of the 3 treatments were progressively more comfortable (P < .005). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a series of simultaneous noninvasive RF with EMS treatments to the abdomen decreases subcutaneous soft-tissue thickness of the treated area. These comfortable treatments ultimately result in a high degree of patient satisfaction at 3 months.

Patient Pre-operative Planning of Gluteal Augmentation.

Demand for autologous gluteal augmentation with fat transfer continues to rise paralleling the increasingly complex nature of the operation. Improved overall aesthetic outcomes are a result of: (1) donor site fat harvest has evolved to circumferential torso high-definition lipo-sculpting; (2) a shift from indiscriminate buttock augmentation to precise gluteal re-shaping. Discussing complex operations with patients, particularly ones of artistic nature, can be challenging. The senior author has developed a gluteal re-shaping graphic to focus a patient's attention to the four most important areas. It also serves as a foundation for surgeons to create operative plans and track outcomes for professional development.

The S-Curve®: Clinical Importance of the Gluteal Ligaments in Efficacious Fat Transfer.

Liposuction cannulas are versatile tools in a plastic surgeon's armamentarium useful for dissection, deep subcutaneous ligamentous release, fat extraction, and lipofilling. Experienced surgeons develop the ability to navigate subcutaneous anatomy through real-time tactile feedback of the cannula's depth, angulation, excursion, and resistance. Peripheral gluteal ligaments acting as anatomic boundaries must be understood and protected. However, central ligaments tether the dermis to deeper structures precluding expansion. Appropriate, targeted ligamentous weakening improves focal capacitance allowing precise gluteal contouring while staying in safe planes. This maneuver is critical during subcutaneous lipofilling of the S-Curve® procedure to create an aesthetically pleasing, convex gluteal silhouette.

Art and Safety of Gluteal Augmentation: Future Directions.

Gluteal augmentation is a quickly evolving field that continues to grow in the realms of patient safety, surgical education, and technological advancement. This article discusses innovation in gluteal augmentation and suggests potential new pathways for developing the practice of gluteal augmentation.

The Hybrid Technique for Autologous Gluteal Augmentation.

This article accompanying these videos will describe the technique created and innovated by the senior author for gluteal augmentation with autologous fat transfer. While the principles of gluteal fat grafting originated with Pitanguy, Regnault, Gonazalez, and Spina, the nuances vary greatly from surgeon to surgeon. Although there is much controversy regarding gluteal fat grafting, the major principle of avoiding intramuscular injection is the central pillar of safe and effective augmentation today. The senior author fine-tuned his method to optimize patient outcomes over the past 14 years and demonstrated lasting, aesthetic results while maximizing patient safety with his technique. More recently, the senior surgeon has developed the Hybrid Technique, involving manual injection of fat through a syringe and a power-assisted cannula to maximize aesthetic outcomes while adhering to safety principles. This method follows the deep and moderate depth subcutaneous injection principle while respecting the muscular, neurovascular, and ligamentous anatomy of the buttock.

Fat Grafting: Basic Science, Techniques, and Patient Management.

In this review, a summary of the rich history of autologous fat grafting is provided, and a comprehensive summary of the science and theory behind autologous adipocyte transplantation, as well as the techniques commonly used is described. These include recipient site preparation, harvesting, processing, and engraftment. In addition, important considerations for preoperative and postoperative management are discussed to maximize graft retention. Special considerations in grafting to the breast, face, and buttocks are also summarized.

Primary breast augmentation today: a survey of current breast augmentation practice patterns.

A study was undertaken to survey current practice patterns concerning primary breast augmentation. Members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) were electronically surveyed concerning issues such as incision location, implant size and type, and complications, as well as information about the surgeons, their practices, and where procedures are performed. The survey response rate was 30%. Plastic surgeons from the South and Southwest made up 40% of respondents. Forty-six percent of respondents had more than 20 years of experience in practice. Forty-three percent of primary breast augmentations were performed in outpatient surgery centers. An anesthesiologist was in attendance in 60% of cases. The average operative time--indicated in 80% of responses--ranged from 45 to 90 minutes. Thirty-three percent of responding plastic surgeons used the base diameter to determine implant size and respondents most commonly used a smooth saline implant placed through an inframammary incision in a submuscular pocket. The most frequently reported complication was nipple sensation changes. Although the reintroduction of silicone gel implants was accompanied by expectations of a sharp increase in their use, this survey revealed that among ASAPS members, saline implants currently are used more often than silicone gel implants. However, both saline and silicone gel implants are used frequently, safely, and reliably. This survey represents a snapshot of current practice and future trends in primary breast augmentation will require additional assessment, although increased use of silicone gel breast prostheses over time is expected.

Gluteal Augmentation and Contouring with Autologous Fat Transfer: Part I.

Gluteal augmentation with autologous fat transfer is an increasingly popular procedure that has the ability to transform a patient's entire body silhouette and gluteal appearance. Proper patient selection, preoperative evaluation, and planning are critical to the success of the procedure. Using the preoperative planning, surgical technique, and postoperative care described, the procedure can be performed safely with powerful and consistent results and avoidance of complications associated with gluteal fat transfer.

Gluteal Ligamentous Anatomy and Its Implication in Safe Buttock Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: The number of buttock augmentations with fat transfer is steadily increasing, but a number of fatalities caused as a direct result of gluteal fat grafting have been reported. The technical details relating to cannula size, injection angle or trajectory, and plane of injection are critical for avoiding morbidity and mortality. However, the ligamentous anatomy has not been thoroughly explored, particularly how the ligaments are encountered in the clinical setting of fat transfer by means of cannulas. METHODS: The gluteal regions of five fresh cadavers were dissected, for a total of 10 hemidissections. All pertinent cutaneous ligaments in the region were identified. In addition, cannulas were used to simulate typical variations in injection planes. RESULTS: The osseocutaneous and fasciocutaneous ligaments of the buttocks were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The authors describe important ligamentous structures consistently found in the region in cadaveric dissections and discuss the implications while safely performing gluteal augmentation. The anatomical features, boundaries, and soft-tissue attachment points may play a role in cannula-directed fat injection misguidance. The ligaments, when not released, can lead to undesired deep injection and therefore fat lobule migration into the venous system. The density, danger zones, and soft-tissue attachments must be clarified further as we continue to offer our patients improved buttock contour with a higher safety profile.

Evidence-Based Medicine: Current Practices in Rhinoplasty.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Perform aesthetic and functional nasal analysis to guide septorhinoplasty. 2. Recognize common complications associated with rhinoplasty. 3. Select appropriate septorhinoplasty techniques to refine nasal aesthetics and treat nasal airway obstruction. 4. Identify factors leading to poor patient satisfaction following rhinoplasty. SUMMARY: Septorhinoplasty is among the most technically challenging procedures in the realm of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Moreover, it is a constantly evolving topic with extensive background literature. Surgeons must be comfortable with the traditional knowledge base and the current practices in the field. This article reviews the latest thinking on patient selection, functional indications, aesthetic analysis, and operative techniques in septorhinoplasty, with an emphasis on key cartilage grafting and tip suture techniques.

Reshaping of the Broad and Bulbous Nasal Tip.

This article presents a contemporary overview of tip suturing and tip structural grafting techniques used to refine the wide nasal tip. Previous reductive techniques have proved to produce unnatural results over time. It is imperative to correctly evaluate the nose and assess all possible pitfalls during the preoperative period before outlining a surgical plan. Intraoperatively, an algorithmic approach helps obtain a reproducible and refined yet properly narrowed domal tip region with graceful contours that extend laterally to the alar lobule with proper shadowing.