Influences of Age, Gender, and Body Mass Index on the Thickness of the Abdominal Fatty Layers and its Relevance for Abdominal Liposuction and Abdominoplasty

Background: Liposuction and lipoabdominoplasty procedures frequently involve the treatment of the superficial and deep fatty layers of the abdomen. Objectives: The aim of the present investigation was to provide comprehensive data on the thickness of the abdominal fatty layers in relation to age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: The study investigated 150 Caucasian individuals; there was an equal distribution of males and females (each n = 75) and a balanced distribution of age (n = 30 per decade: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69 years) and BMI (n = 50 per group: BMI <= 24.9, 25.0-29.9, and >= 30 kg/m(2)). Ultrasound-based measurements of the superficial and deep abdominal fatty layers were performed. Results: An increase in BMI was associated with an increase in total abdominal wall fat thickness. The measured increase was related more to the thickness of the deep fatty layer than to the thickness of the superficial fatty layer (Z = 1.80, P = 0.036). An increase in age was associated with a decrease in thickness of the superficial fatty layer (r(p) = -0.104, P = 0.071) but with an increase in thickness of the deep fatty layer (r(p) = 0.197, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Age and BMI can change the thickness of both the superficial and deep fatty layers of the anterior abdominal wall, thus influencing the plan and conduct of cosmetic surgical procedures. Knowledge of the layered anatomy of the anterior abdominal wall, as well as its associated blood supply, is important for surgeons performing procedures in this area.