Upper Arms: Rejuvenation of the arm

Synopsis

Performing procedures to rejuvenate the arm requires an understanding of the aesthetic arm deformity and its pathophysiology. Excisional techniques (e.g., brachioplasty), liposuction, and nonsurgical treatment options may all be used for arm rejuvenation. There are a number of technical points that can make brachioplasty a reliable and rewarding procedure.

The Aesthetic Problem

This 67-year-old woman (see Fig. 36.1 ) was unhappy with the presence of loose skin hanging from her arms. She didn't think that her arms were harmonious with her overall appearance and was reluctant to wear short-sleeve tops or dresses.

Two categories of patients present for rejuvenation of the arm:

• 1.

  The patient with signs of aging

• 2.

  The massive weight loss patient

These patients present with the following signs:

• Redundant skin, with or without excess soft tissue

  • This produces increased wrinkling and folds and is most pronounced in the inner (posteromedial) aspect of the arm. Pascal and Le Louarn have described this excess skin as analogous to a sleeve that is too wide and too long.

• Increase in the inferior curve of the arm

  • This is seen when the arm is abducted to 90 degrees at the shoulder, the so-called bat wing or bingo wing deformity. It occurs with aging and was quantified by Glanz and Gonzalez-Ulloa using the coefficient of Hoyer. This ratio of the relative height of the soft tissues above and below the inferior border of the humerus increases from 1 : 1 to 1 : 2.2 between the ages of 10 and 70 years.

• Loss of axillary hollow

• Lipodystrophy

General Considerations

• 1.

  Skin quality—thickness, extent of solar damage, senile changes

• 2.

  Excess skin—quantity and distribution

• 3.

  Excess fat—quantity and distribution

In Case 36.1 (see below), the patient had poor skin quality. It was thin and had significant solar damage (see Fig. 36.1E ). She had a moderate excess of skin involving the entire arm with loss of the axillary hollow and had minimal excess fat. The desired outcome in this situation was to narrow and shorten the sleeve of the arm with concomitant deepening of the axillary hollow.