The extended abdominoplasty

This article illustrates the author's approach of directly excising adipose tissue excess in the lateral and posterior hip region by extending the lateral extent of the horizontal incision in a full abdominoplasty toward the posterior axillary line to produce a superior contour in this region. It is most applicable in patients with a significant adipose tissue excess in the lateral hip area that produces an outward convexity seen in the frontal, posterior, or oblique view. Such an excess represents a soft tissue "dog ear" composed of skin, and adipose tissue both deep and superficial to the superficial fascial system.