title: [Leg re-contouring by using a new technique of partially removing gastrocnemius].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a method to partially remove gastrocnemius for improvement of the contour of the leg.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients with bulked calf were undergoing the treatment. With a self-designed apparatus, the gastrocnemius was partially removed by placing the device in the muscle through an incision in the popliteal fossa. The follow-ups were carried out for 1-6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients were successfully treated by above mentioned technique. The removed amount of muscle was weighted between 11 g and 201 g, averaged 77 g. All of the patients could be able to walk three days after the operation. But, the normal walk had to take 1 month after of the surgery for recovering. The function of the ankle joint was not obviously influenced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above mentioned technique is a safe and effective method for re-contouring the leg.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Beijing University Third Hospital, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Rong-sheng
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yu-zhe
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hong-bin
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Bi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yong-guang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Wei-tao
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian-ning
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004434:Early Ambulation; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors