Body contouring with solid silicone implants.

BACKGROUND: Body-contouring implants are becoming increasingly popular and more accepted and requested for aesthetic purposes. These implants must be placed in a safe and reproducible plane of anatomic dissection for a successful long-term outcome. Poor implant placement techniques result in greater complications such as asymmetry, implant migration, capsular contracture, and infection. This article discusses (1) the history and the evolution of body-contouring implants, (2) the different techniques and dissection planes in which to put the implants in the calf, gluteal, pectoral, and triceps/biceps areas, and (3) the complications associated with the different implantation techniques.

METHODS: The different anatomical areas that have been treated with solid silicone implants are the gluteus, pectoral, calf, deltoids, biceps, triceps, and trapezium.

RESULTS: Determining the ideal plane for implant placement is the most important surgical goal for satisfactory aesthetic results.

CONCLUSION: Aesthetic contouring of the chest, back, arms, buttocks, and calf can be done safely with solid silicone implants. Proper pocket dissection and location are paramount to successful implant placement and decreased complications.