9509-912 Lockwood
Lockwood T.
Brachioplasty with superficial fascial system suspension.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 1995 Sep;96(4):912-20. PMID: 7652066
Although significant innovations in brachioplasty occurred in the 1970s, it
remains an unpopular procedure. Current brachioplasty techniques are somewhat
unpredictable and are commonly associated with significant untoward results.
Recent anatomic studies demonstrate that in youth the posteromedial arm soft
tissues are firmly suspended to a tough yet dynamic fascial system sling that
ultimately gains its strength from the clavicular periosteum by means of the
clavipectoral and axillary fasciae. Loosening of the connections of the arm
superficial fascial system to the axillary fascia, as well as relaxation of the
axillary fascia itself, with age, weight fluctuations, and gravitational pull
yields a "loose hammock" effect, resulting in significant ptosis of the
posteromedial arm. On the basis of this anatomic concept, the brachioplasty
procedure was modified to provide secure anchoring of the arm flap to the
axillary fascia along with strong superficial fascial system repair of
incisions, reducing the risk of widening or migration of scars and unnatural
contours. Five patients having brachioplasty with or without liposuction were
followed for 6 to 12 months. The primary indication for surgery is moderate to
severe skin laxity of the arms with or without associated arm fat deposits.
Results were consistent, and complications were limited.
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