Reducing wound complications in gluteal augmentation surgery.

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, many techniques have been proposed for gluteal augmentation with implants. The intramuscular technique provided greatly improved results and a consequent increase in the number of such procedures performed in Brazil. However, the data available in the medical literature reveal high rates of wound complications, mostly seroma and dehiscence. The aim of this study was to present changes in the management of the wound of augmentation gluteoplasty with silicone implants in an attempt to reduce the rates of postoperative complications. Twenty female candidates for augmentation gluteoplasty were selected prospectively and submitted to the procedure with a modified technique. The incidence of wound complications was compared with the data of the authors and of the literature. In the comparison between homogeneous groups of patients, the modified technique reduced the rate of wound complications from 35 percent to 5 percent. The most frequent complications were seroma and dehiscence. The combination of liposuction of the flanks was not a risk factor for the occurrence of these complications. Reduction of the undermined subcutaneous area, application of adhesion stitches, and maintenance of good vascularization in the sacral region are the keystones of the authors' proposal. The modifications of the technique presented here are simple and easy to perform, and have proved effective in reducing complications during augmentation gluteoplasty with silicone implants. Therapeutic, II.