Dorsocervical fat pad is common in middle-aged women. Current treatments include surgical excision and liposuction. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of tumescent liposuction on dorsocervical fat pad. Anatomical study was also carried out to explore the anatomical structure and significance of dorsocervical fat pad.

From Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2018, twenty-seven patients with dorsocervical fat pad were treated with tumescent liposuction in Peking University Third Hospital. Small incisions were made in bilateral scapular region and 4 mm suction cannula was applied. A female cadaver fixed with formaldehyde was dissected to investigate the structure of posterior cervical and dorsal region. The specimens were stained with HE and Masson staining.

14 patients were followed up for no less than 6 months, with an average follow-up time of 27 months. Patients＇ dorsocervical area were flat and smooth after the surgery. Patient satisfaction rate was 100% and no severe complication was reported except bruise and pain. The symptoms of dorsocervical pain in two patients were significantly improved after operation. Anatomical study showed that the dorsocervical fat pad was composed of superficial and deep layer of adipose tissue, with clear boundary between the two layers and no obvious capsule. The collagen fibers in deep layer were more and denser than those in superficial layer.

Tumescent liposuction can effectively treat dorsocervical fat pad. The surgery outcome is ideal with little complication.Through the study of the anatomical structure of the dorsocervical fat pad, the operation method and principle of liposuction can be improved and the operation efficiency can be enhanced.

Neck; Fat pad; Tumescent technique; Liposuction; Autopsy