title: Use of the pitanguy large flap demarcator in thigh dermolipectomy with a medioanterior scar extension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thigh dermolipectomy is one the most challenging procedures for the treatment of postobesity deformities. Excessive tissue on the medial portion of the thigh is associated with the poor results of the classic approach. Recently, different techniques have been proposed with the goal of improving the results. The current study presents an alternative technique for thigh dermolipectomy using the Pitanguy flap demarcator with a medioanterior scar extension.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2002 to July 2005, the authors prospectively followed up patients undergoing thigh dermolipectomy using the Pitanguy flap demarcator for marking resection areas and the medioanterior scar extension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients ranging in age from 30 to 54 years and with a weight loss of 30 to 59 kg were submitted to the medioanterior extension thigh dermolipectomy. All the patients displayed important soft tissue laxity and redundancy at the lower limbs. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 5 to 40 months. The results attained were considered satisfactory, and few complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The poor results of previous procedures were disappointing to many patients and discouraged many others from undergoing thigh dermolipectomy. Using the Pitanguy flap demarcator for markings and the medioanterior scar extension, satisfactory results were increasingly common, and a growing number of patients may be encouraged to undergo thigh dermolipectomy procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery of the Pontifical Catholic, University of Rio de Janeiro, and the Carlos Chagas Institute of Postgraduate Medical Studies, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. upsurgeon@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mazzarone
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pitanguy
authors.forename: André F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gabriele
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss