Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Electrolyte and plasma enzyme analyses during large-volume liposuction.

Avron H Lipschitz1, Jeffrey M Kenkel, Maureen Luby

  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Advanced Plastic Surgery and Wound Healing Laboratory, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|August 20, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Laser and Energy-Based Devices in Aesthetic Practice: A 10-Year Single-Surgeon Review of Treatments, Complications, and Same-Practice Surgical Crossover.

Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum·2026
Same author

Buccal Fat Suspension: Not Just a Lift-Restoring the Foundational Anatomy of a Youthful Cheek.

Aesthetic surgery journal·2026
Same author

Professional Outcomes Following The Aesthetic Society-Endorsed Aesthetic Surgery Fellowships: A Single Program Fellowship Review and National Survey.

Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum·2026
Same author

Use of VISIA-CR Generation 5 in Aesthetic Skin Assessment: A Single-Case Review.

Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum·2026
Same author

The Effects of Aesthetic Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light on Skin Shields.

Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]·2026
Same author

Annual Laser Safety Inservice Training Checkoffs: Examining Standard Operating Procedures for Quality Assurance.

Lasers in surgery and medicine·2025

Large-volume liposuction causes significant electrolyte shifts and elevated liver enzymes, indicating potential tissue injury. Further research is needed to assess the extent and specific causes of this damage.

Area of Science:

  • Plastic Surgery
  • Surgical Physiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Large-volume liposuction involves significant fluid infiltration and fat removal, potentially leading to electrolyte imbalances.
  • Previous studies in animal models suggested elevated liver enzymes after liposuction, raising concerns about hepatocellular toxicity or mechanical injury.
  • Human studies are needed to evaluate the effects of large-volume liposuction on electrolyte balance and liver function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of large-volume liposuction on electrolyte balance in human subjects.
  • To determine if plasma aminotransferase levels increase following large-volume liposuction in humans.
  • To assess potential tissue injury markers after the procedure.

Main Methods:

  • Five female volunteers underwent three-stage, ultrasound-assisted liposuction.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Perioperative blood samples were collected to measure electrolytes (sodium, potassium, CO2, BUN, chloride, creatinine) and liver function tests (albumin, total protein, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin).
  • Creatine kinase levels were measured to assess intracellular enzyme release.

    • Main Results:

    • Mild hyponatremia (low sodium) and significant hypokalemia (low potassium) were observed postoperatively.
    • Hypoalbuminemia and hypoproteinemia were present throughout the study, worsening postoperatively.
    • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and creatine kinase (CK) levels were significantly elevated post-procedure, suggesting tissue injury.

    Conclusions:

    • Large-volume liposuction causes significant electrolyte disturbances, including hyponatremia and hypokalemia.
    • Elevated AST, ALT, and CK levels indicate skeletal muscle and/or liver tissue injury associated with the procedure.
    • Further clinical studies are required to fully understand the extent of tissue damage and identify specific contributing factors, such as mechanical trauma or anesthetic agents.