Related Experiment Videos
Effect of liposuction on skin perfusion
Subhas C Gupta1, Kayvan T Khiabani, Linda L Stephenson
1Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 2040 W. Charleston Boulevard, Suite 301, Las Vegas, NV 89102-2227, USA.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|November 26, 2002
Summary
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction and suction-assisted liposuction show no long-term impairment of skin perfusion. Early postoperative skin perfusion is higher with ultrasound-assisted liposuction, returning to baseline in both groups within weeks.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Dermatology
- Surgical Technology
Background:
- Clinical reports suggest potential thermal and ischemic effects of ultrasound-assisted liposuction on skin.
- Concerns exist regarding the impact of liposuction techniques on dermal perfusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate and compare skin perfusion in patients undergoing ultrasound-assisted liposuction versus suction-assisted liposuction.
- To assess the perioperative effects of anesthetic, wetting solution, and liposuction technique on skin perfusion.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 75 patients (31 suction-assisted liposuction, 64 ultrasound-assisted liposuction).
- Skin perfusion measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively.
- Analysis of effects of anesthetic, wetting solution, and liposuction type on perfusion.
Main Results:
- Anesthetic induction significantly increased skin perfusion.
- Wetting solution infusion significantly decreased skin perfusion by 57.4%.
- Ultrasound-assisted liposuction group showed significantly greater early postoperative skin perfusion (1 hour, 1 day, 1 week) compared to suction-assisted liposuction.
Conclusions:
- Neither ultrasound-assisted liposuction nor suction-assisted liposuction demonstrates long-term impairment of skin perfusion.
- Early postoperative differences in skin perfusion between the two techniques resolve by 2-5 weeks.
- Both liposuction methods appear safe regarding dermal perfusion in the long term.