Background: Augmentation and remodelling of the calf is becoming more and more frequent, representing a challenge for the surgeon who must consider this body zone as a functional and aesthetical whole. Historically, calf reshaping has been carried out with silicone implants, mainly in the subaponeurotic plane; nonetheless, as in other body sites it is possible to perform lipoinjection which is a reliable procedure with minimal scarring and a lasting outcome with rare, long-term complications.
Materials and methods: Between the years 2009 and 2011, five patients (three women and two men) underwent bilateral calf liporemodelling. Follow-up was between 6 and 18 months. The larger perimeter of each calf was measured for follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to localise the injected fat at the end of the follow-up period in two of the patients.
Results: An average of 126.8±21.2 cc was lipoinjected into each calf. The average final augmentation in the larger perimeter of each leg was 2.8 cm. All patients obtained a good aesthetical outcome and were satisfied. No important complications were seen in this series.
Conclusion: According to our experience and outcomes we can recommend the liporemodelling technique of the calf as a valid alternative for the reshaping of the distal third of the inferior extremity.
Copyright © 2013 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.