Silicone implants are available for male muscle augmentation at a variety of body sites. The most well known male body implants are the pectoral and calf implants. Implants for the arms and shoulders can also be done but they are far less well known and performed. Arm implants can be done for the bicep and tricep muscles and are most commonly done together.
The tricep muscle, technically known as the triceps brachii muscle (three headed muscle of the arm), is the single large muscle on the back of the arm. Its contraction is what causes the straightening of the arm by extension of the elbow joint. Aesthetically the triceps muscle is not thought of as important as the anterior biceps muscle. But augmentation of the bicep muscle can not really be done without tricep enlargement to keep a well balanced muscular upper arm.
The placement of tricep implants is best done under general anesthesia in the prone position. With the arms extended out on arm boards and the elbows bent at 90 to 120 degrees, good access is obtained to the back of the arm. With this positioning, a 3.5 cm skin incision can be made in the posterior axillary skin crease.
Dissection is carried down to the triceps fascia through a moderate layer of subcutaneous fat. There are no major nerves or blood vessels that are in the path of this dissection. The fascia is incised and a subfascial plane is easily dissected down the whole back of the arm to within a few centimeters of the elbow. A soft flexible silicone triceps implant (contoured carving block, Implantech) is sized, cut to length, and then thread into the subfascial pocket. It is important that the implant is positioned exactly on the back of the arm and stays passively below the fascial incision.
After the implant is adequately positioned, the tricep fascia is closed as well as the dermis of the overlying skin. The skin is then closed with a subcuticular suture.
The surgical technique for tricep implant placement is highly aided by properly positioning the patient so that unimpeded access is provided to the back of the arm.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana