摘要

Objectives: Previous research has shown that soft tissue augmentation poses challenges for plastic surgeons due to the body's natural defenses against foreign materials, despite the fact that silicone rubber implants are widely used. Recent research indicates that alternative procedures such as liposuction and gastrocnemius muscle resection are viable options. To date, there is a scarcity of current research addressing the aesthetic ideal criteria for male calves, with constant discussion about the best procedures to achieve such goals. This study intends to conduct a systematic review to fill this gap. Introduction: Legs are significant in the cultural construct of beauty across various societies. Furthermore, they are an important component of personal attractiveness and secondary gender characteristics in both men and women. Beyond medical reasons, many people, including athletes, seek calf reconstruction to improve their appearance. Women place a high value on the ankle region, whereas men in many cultures associate well-developed calf muscles with attractiveness and masculinity. There are differences in the supreme criteria for calves between women and men. Materials / method: A comprehensive literature search for a systematic review was conducted from April 2024 utilizing electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, Embase, ProQuest, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Scopus. Key terms included "Calves," "Legs," "Male," "Ideal," "Aesthetic," and "Measurement." This study examined prospective and retrospective research on calf measurements in males, establishing objective ideal standards. Limited literature on male calf aesthetics places the highest evidence level at level 3. The risk of bias was evaluated using the CASP tool for cohort studies. Results: Seven cohort studies, among 322 initially identified, met criteria. They uniformly found calf aesthetics follow the golden ratio, with ankle to gastrocnemius muscle distance matching knee to its prominent point. Data on adult males included mean calf circumference (35.8 ± 2.4 cm), medial head length (19.1 ± 1.3 cm), and distance to medial malleolus (22 ± 1.7 cm). The ideal size value was found to be larger in males than in females. Implants offer significant size change but higher risks. Liporeshaping can increase perimeter by 2.8 cm. Conclusion: In conclusion, our systematic review underscores the importance of understanding and defining ideal calf aesthetics in males. Our findings underscore the significance of legs in cultural constructs of beauty and personal attractiveness. Despite challenges in soft tissue augmentation, alternative procedures like liposuction offer promising options. The cultural significance of legs and the pursuit of personal attractiveness drive the demand for calf reconstruction. Notable gender disparities in aesthetic preferences highlight the need for tailored approaches.