title: Pursestring thigh lift: direct approach for a problematic deformity.
abstract: Extreme thigh lipodystrophy localized in a "saddlebag" distribution can be difficult to treat with conventional body-lift approaches. We present a case of extreme thigh lipodystrophy treated with suction lipectomy and direct excision of skin and fat. The circular defects were closed with pursestring sutures and yielded a greatly improved contour and minimal iatrogenic deformity or scarring. In properly selected patients, the pursestring thigh-lift can provide a superior esthetic result.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Shriners Burns Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Jesus A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Daniel N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: Matthias B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Donelan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques