Buttocks augmentation

Radiopaedia • CC-by-nc-sa 3.0 • de

A gluteoplasty, also called gluteal augmentation, is a surgical procedure performed to improve the shape and the size of the buttocks.

Indications

A cosmetic desire to boost the volume and shape of the buttocks.

Surgical technique

Many types of procedures are performed :

  • subfascial gluteal augmentation: a silicone implant is placed in the subfascial space, under the gluteus maximus muscle
  • intramuscular buttock augmentation: a silicone implant is placed inside the gluteus maximus muscle

These implants may be placed through bilateral supragluteal incisions, the infragluteal fold, or the intergluteal cleft incision.

Other techniques are performed either as standalone or in association with other procedures, such as:

  • fat transfer also called Brazilian 'butt lift'
  • hydrogel and silicone buttock injections

Complications

  • implant migration
  • implant rupture and granuloma formation
  • capsular contraction
  • sciatic nerve lesions
  • gluteal abscess
  • post-operative bleeding

History and etymology

The first gluteal enhancement was performed in 1969, using a breast implant, to treat a left unilateral gluteal agenesis .