Lateral Tension Upper Body Lift: "Zip-Shark" Technique as Novel Procedure.

[INTRODUCTION] The lateral tension upper body lift (Zip-Shark) is mainly used in patients after massive weight loss, predominantly as a second or third stage in a body contouring plan. This technique is a surgical procedure aimed at removing excess skin and subcutaneous fat from the chest and flanks.

[MATERIALS AND METHODS] A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 patients who underwent lateral body lift. Demographic and surgical data were collected and analyzed for potential factors influencing outcome.

[RESULTS] In this group of 12 patients, 10 were female and two were male. In the subjective satisfaction score (1 representing the lowest satisfaction score and 5 representing the highest score) measured 12 months after surgery, 10 patients indicated the maximum value of the scale. Only two indicated the levels of satisfaction 4. The mean improvement of the pinch test was calculated as 7 cm in the 12 postoperative month. Among the 12 patients included in this subgroup analysis, four (33%) experienced minor complications, all of which resolved without requiring surgical intervention. Notably, all four of these patients had a history of massive weight loss, and three of them hadn't undergone simultaneous liposuction. Female patients ranged in age from 33 to 62 years, with an average age of 45 years and an average BMI of 25. All female patients underwent lateral body lift as an extended L-type brachioplasty. The two male patients were aged 28 and 50 and had an average BMI of 25. The most common adverse event was wound dehiscence in the armpit area, managed successfully with secondary intention healing.

[CONCLUSION] This type of procedure has been used in male and female patients. In most of the female cases, bra-line back lift would provide similar results, and scar could be hidden under the bra. Nevertheless in most of the massive weight loss cases, including females, skin excess along the horizontal access could be targeted more efficiently by using the lateral chest excision. Lateral body lift (Zip-Shark) has been described as another additional procedure of choice to achieve simultaneous lifting of the soft tissues in the back, abdomen, pectoral area, and upper arms.

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