B-Ultrasound-Assisted Gluteal Fat Grafting in Asians: A Prospective Study of Quantitative Results with Three-Dimensional Imaging and B-Ultrasound Analysis

Background The increasing number of fatalities caused by gluteal fat grafting is concerning; thus, there is a need to determine ways to obtain the ideal aesthetic effect while ensuring a safe operation. In this paper, three-dimensional (3D) measurements combined with B-ultrasound were used to evaluate the effect of gluteal fat augmentation in Asians, whose safety and effectiveness were confirmed by quantitative data. Methods Thirty-five consecutive female patients were evaluated in this prospective clinical study. All patients underwent B-ultrasound-assisted gluteal fat augmentation on the subcutaneous plane only. 3D imaging and B-ultrasound analysis of the adipose tissue thickness in the gluteal region were performed preoperatively and at 1 week, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Results The waist circumference of the patients decreased, the gluteal circumference and the length of the gluteal crease increased, and the average waist-to-hip ratio improved from 0.78 to 0.74. At 3 months and 6 months postoperatively, the adipose tissue thickness decreased by 5.1% and 15.1%, respectively. The fat retention rates calculated by 3D imaging measurements at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively were 77.9% and 64.7%, respectively. According to the BODY-Q scale, patients reported a high level of satisfaction postoperatively. Conclusions B-ultrasound guidance can effectively prevent the chance of fatal fat embolism during gluteal fat grafting and can maximize the augmentation effect. Quantitative data obtained by 3D measurements and B-ultrasound confirm the safety and effectiveness of fat injections for gluteal augmentation under B-ultrasound guidance.