Background: Fat survival remains a challenge following
fat grafting and has been a subject of debate. The key to
successful fat grafting in buttock enhancement dictates familiarity
with the technique, knowledge of the gluteal topography
and aesthetics along with understanding of the patient's desired
needs and goals. However, several areas still need to be
researched.
Objectives: This study aims to describe the anthropometric
measurements of the Middle Eastern female buttocks and to
evaluate the post-operative volume changes of structural fat
grafting following gluteal enhancement procedures.
Methods: This study included sixty adult healthy females.
Candidates were classified into four main groups; control
group (30 candidates) for measuring anthropometrics of
Middle Eastern buttocks with normal BMI, and other 30
candidates were grouped into three surgical groups (10 candidates
for each) according to the amount of fat grafting.
Anthropometric measurements were obtained directly through
patients' photos (posterior and lateral views) pre-operatively,
3 and 6 months postoperatively. Pre-operative volume of
gluteal region in each quadrant was measured for the whole
buttock by using the ultrasound then compared to that of 3
and 6 months post-operatively.
Results: Control group (30 candidates) showed that round
shape buttocks was the dominant shape. Fat survival rate of
fat injected in subcutaneous plane decreased with increasing
volume of fat injected, while in the intramuscular plane the
survival rate the same and was not affected significantly.
Conclusion and Recommendations: Round shaped buttock
is the dominant shape in Middle Eastern buttock; fat survival
rate is greater when injected intramuscular. We warn surgeons
from trying intramuscular fat injection without anticipating
problems and also without taking in consideration precautions
and recommendations especially in large volume grafting.
Also, we recommend authors to perform more studies in
Middle Eastern buttocks for more control cases to confirm
the anthropometric criteria of Middle Eastern buttocks.