To investigate the quantification assessment of segmental volume after thigh liposuction utilizing three-dimensional(3D) scanning technology.

This retrospective study was performed with the analysis of 3D scanning images of patients who had undergone bilateral thigh liposuction in Body Contouring & Fat Grafting Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2018 to September 2022. Preoperative and postoperative 3D scanning were performed to build visual 3D models of bilateral thighs. From top to the bottom, bilateral thighs were segmented into seven sections with a space of 5 cm in acquired 3D model. Certain measurements and calculation of preoperative and postoperative volume and volume change rate of the overall thigh and each segment were conducted, to validate the efficiency of liposuction (EOL). Additionally, EOL of each thigh segment was computed and the symmetry of bilateral thighs was analyzed before and after surgery. The volume differences were computed using the paired Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was exerted to assess the symmetry of bilateral thighs before and after surgery.

A total of 36 female patients were included in the study, with an age range of 18 to 49 years and a mean age of (28.6±7.6) years. Follow-up duration ranged from 23 to 1 133 days postoperatively, with a mean follow-up period of 274.7 days. The results of 3D scanning measurements indicated significant changes (P<0.01) in both the overall volume of the thigh and the volumes of each segment before and after surgery. The highest volume change rate and EOL were observed in the uppermost segment, and the volumetric change rate and EOL exhibited a descending trend across the segments of the thigh from the uppermost to the lowermost segments. The ICC of the volume of each segment consistently surpassed 0.950 whether preoperatively or postoperatively, indicating a high level of symmetry between the bilateral thighs, and the ICC of overall volume showed a notable increase from 0.992 preoperatively to 0.997 postoperatively.

3D scanning technology can be exerted to quantify the volume changes before and after thigh liposuction. This study provided quantitative and objective evidence to confirm the efficacy of thigh liposuction procedure, elucidating that the most significant liposuction effects observed in the uppermost segment of the thigh. Moreover, postoperative assessments reveal a further enhancement in bilateral thigh symmetry.

Thigh; Suction lipectomy; Three-dimensional scanning technology; Volume measurement; Body contouring