Pectoral Etching and Liposculpture for Better Chest Definition
Contouring of the chest region by pectoral etching helps provide better definition to the pectoral muscles and the shape of the chest wall. Borrowing the concept from abdominal etching, in which the use of linear liposuction is used to define muscular edges and definitions, a similar technique can be applied to the chest with equally good results.
By selective removal of fat (liposculpture) from the side and lower borders of the pectoralis major muscle, the muscular appearance of the chest wall can be improved. This virilizes the chest contour while creating few visible scars. By sculpting the borders, and leaving fat over the main body of the muscle, the pectoral muscle bulk appears greater. This pectoral etching technique provides better shaping than simple gross fat removal in an even unsculpted manner across the chest wall.
Pectoral etching adds visible and palpable pectoral inscriptions to the chest wall. In a recent study published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal in December 2007, a report treating over 200 patients over the past three years with pectoral etching was published. With only a few minor complications (small hematoma, irregular contour, too conservative of a result), their experience has been that the results have been maintained, even in the face of weight gain and skin loosening with age. When pectoral etching is combined with abdominal etching, a more muscular-appearing torso is achieved. The procedure is becoming very popular in non-athletic males whose physique may not get sculpted even with regular strength training.
Dr Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana