Waist Narrowing without Removal of Ribs

Abstract

A narrow waist is considered one of the most attractive female body features. We have developed a minimally invasive surgical method of waist narrowing without rib removal. An access to XI and XII ribs is made through small incisions at the scapular line on both sides. The dorsal cortical plates are osteotomized using a sagittal oscillator saw with a 10 mm wide blade or a piezotome. The osteoclasy is performed, "green stick" type fracture is obtained, and wounds are closed. We put a tight chest corset on a patient for 2 months until the ribs' fractures consolidate in new position. The number of our clinical cases is 93, and 14 of them were available for follow up at 6 months or more. The average waistline reduction is about 8.0 cm. We indicated period of time, number of cases, and selection criteria. This method is atraumatic, has a short rehabilitation period, and provides for obvious clinical effect.