Surgical pocket location for gluteal implants: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Aesthetic Surgery

Background:

• The optimal pocket location for gluteal augmentation using implants remains undetermined.
• This systematic review aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for implant pocket selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the safest pocket location for silicone gluteal implants.
• To compare acute and long-term complication rates across different pocket types.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of Medline-indexed articles.
• Inclusion criteria focused on gluteal augmentation with silicone implants.
• Outcomes assessed included wound dehiscence, infection, seroma, hematoma, asymmetry, and capsular contracture.

Main Results:

• Thirty articles published since 1969 were analyzed.
• Most frequent complications: wound dehiscence (10.29%), seroma (2.49%), wound infection (1.12%), hematoma (0.24%).
• Patient satisfaction data varied significantly and could not be compared.

Conclusions:

• The intramuscular XYZ method demonstrated the lowest complication rates (13.18%).
• Sub-muscular (17.60%), intramuscular (18.05%), and subfascial (54.84%) pockets showed progressively higher complication rates.
• The intramuscular XYZ method is recommended for gluteal augmentation to minimize complications.