Brachioplasty

A brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, is a surgical procedure to reshape and provide improved contour to the upper arms and connecting area of chest wall.^[1] While “brachioplasty” is commonly used to describe a specific procedure for the upper arms, the term can also be used to describe any surgical arm contouring. Brachioplasty is often used to address issues such as excessive loose skin or excessive fat in the arms when it does not respond well to diet and exercise.^[2] Brachioplasty is a common procedure for patients who have experienced massive weight loss and has gained popularity since 2000.^[3]

Brachioplasty techniques

Liposuction of the arms

The least invasive manner to contour the upper arms is to simply remove extra fat via liposuction. However, traditional deep liposuction often leaves sagging and wrinkled skin. An alternative to this is Circumferential para-Axillary Superficial Tumescent (CAST) liposuction which maximizes the skin retraction.^[4]

Hidden/Minimal incision brachioplasty

Under the right conditions such as adequate skin elasticity and minimal excess skin, the surgical incision for the brachioplasty can be placed under the arm. This allows for easy concealment of the scar. Minnimal incision brachioplasty includes lipoplasty of the upper arm, wide-axillary and upper-arm skin excision, and dermal suspension of the upper-arm skin to the axillary fascia.^[5]

Traditional brachioplasty

The typical brachioplasty involves removing excessive loose skin via surgical excision, leaving a significant scar along the bottom of the upper arms.

Extended brachioplasty

If there is also a significant amount of loose skin that goes from the upper arms and continues along the chest wall, an extended brachioplasty may be called for. In an extended brachioplasty, the incision and excision of skin continues along the upper arm onto the area under the arm along the chest wall.

Fish-incision brachioplasty

This method is used for patients with enormous amount of soft tissue excess. Fish-incision brachioplasty uses mathematical measurements and anatomic marking that allows the preoperative marking of the incision in the shape of a fish.^[6]

Superficial fascial system suspension

In this procedure anchoring of the arm flap to the axillary fascia is secured along with strong superficial fascial system repair of incisions. This method reduces the risk of widening or migration of scars and unnatural contours.^[7]

Use of Molds

This technique uses a mold to mark the incision in an italic double S-shape for better incision control, symmetrical and smaller scars. This method is often used in association with other brachioplasty procedures.^[8]

Complications

Some of the possible complications associated with brachioplasty include:^[9]

• Risks of anaesthesia, including allergic reaction
• Surgical risks such as bleeding or infection
• Blood clots that may cause potentially fatal cardiovascular complications, such as heart attack, deep vein thrombosis or stroke
• Collapsed lung
• Fluid build-up under the wound
• Tissue death along the wound, or skin loss
• Sensory nerve damage, which may cause prolonged or permanent numbness in the upper arm or even in the forearm
• Prolonged swelling
• Damage to underlying tissues such as muscles
• Asymmetry (unevenness) of the skin
• Unsightly, inflamed or itchy scarring
• Further surgery to treat complications.

References