Does intramuscular gluteal augmentation using implants affect sensitivity in the buttocks?

The evolution of techniques and materials has made gluteoplasty a safe and reproducible operation with high acceptance among surgeons and patients. Functional aspects should be considered in gluteoplasty but are poorly studied. The sensitivity of the buttocks is fundamental as it represents an erogenous zone and provides protection through sensory stimuli for the prevention of pressure sores and burns. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of the gluteal region in patients undergoing gluteal augmentation with implants. We included 20 consecutive patients undergoing gluteoplasty and 20 controls not undergoing gluteal surgery. All patients are females and were being treated at the Division of Plastic Surgery of the Rio de Janeiro State University. The right and left gluteal regions were delimited, and each one was divided into four quadrants numbered 1-8. Sensitivity tests were performed in all quadrants for six different stimuli: touch, heat, cold, pain, vibration, and pressure. The mean age and BMI were 36.3 years and 26.3, respectively. No difference in sensitivity was observed in the gluteal region after augmentation gluteoplasty when compared with those patients who had no operation in this series. Prospective and controlled studies are needed to better assess these issues.