Quantifying Morphological Change in Stage III Lipedema: A 3D Imaging Study of Population Trends and Individual...

Background/Objectives: Lipedema is a chronic disorder characterized by disproportionate fat accumulation in the extremities, causing pain, bruising, and reduced mobility. When conservative therapy fails, liposuction is considered an effective treatment option. Prior studies often relied on subjective or non-standardized measures, limiting precision. This study aimed to objectively assess volumetric changes after liposuction in stage III lipedema using high-resolution 3D imaging to quantify postoperative changes in circumference and volume, providing individualized yet standardized outcome measures aligned with precision medicine. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 66 patients who underwent 161 water-assisted liposuctions (WALs). Pre- and postoperative measurements were performed with the VECTRA© WB360 system, allowing reproducible, anatomically specific quantification of limb volumes and circumferences. Secondary endpoints included in-hospital complications. Results: Liposuction achieved significant reductions in all treated regions, most pronounced in the proximal thigh and upper arm. Thigh volume decreased by 4.10-9.25% (q < 0.001), while upper arm volume decreased by 15.63% (left) and 20.15% (right) (q = 0.001). Circumference decreased by up to 5.2% in the thigh (q < 0.001) and 12.27% (q = 0.001) in the upper arm. All changes were calculated relative to baseline values, allowing personalized interpretation of treatment effects. Conclusions: This is the first study to objectively quantify postoperative lipedema changes using whole-body 3D surface imaging. By capturing each patient's contours pre- and postoperatively, this approach enables individualized evaluation while permitting standardized comparison across patients. It offers a precise understanding of surgical outcomes and supports integration of precision medicine principles in lipedema surgery.