Correction of Unilateral Ptosis of the Gluteal Fold after Liposuction: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

A 37-year-old woman complained of unilateral ptotic gluteal fold in her left gluteal area. She had undergone two times of liposuction procedures on her buttocks, thighs, and flanks five years and two years ago. Initially, we marked a 16x5cm2 elliptical design over the ptotic gluteal skin on her standing position. The elliptical area was deepithelialized and two 6cm long separate transverse incisions were made on the dermis of the deepithelialized skin flaps. Through these incisions, blunt dissections down to the gluteal fascia were carried out. Using 2-0 PDS sutures, the edges of the incisions were anchored to the gluteal fascia at the predetermined level corresponding to the inferior border of the gluteus muscle. Upper and lower dermal flaps were incorporated in a layered fashion(3-0 and 4-0 PDS) and the remaining skin was approximated with 5-0 nylon sutures in a continuous manner. Symmetry was achieved postoperatively and the scar was negligible because it was concealed in the gluteal crease. In conclusion, the anchoring technique of deepithelialized skin flaps to the gluteal fascia is very useful for correction of the buttock ptosis, especially resulting from closed degloving injuries, and applicable for the patients who have lost their natural infragluteal fold.