Liposuction Followed by Helium Plasma Radiofrequency Versus Liposuction Control: A Retrospective Study Evaluating...

Liposuction is widely performed for body contouring, but concerns regarding residual sagging and contour irregularities remain as limitations of this technique. Heat-emitting technologies aim to stimulate skin contraction, and radiofrequency (RF) energy is considered effective. However, patient satisfaction is essential to confirm its clinical benefit.

This retrospective observational study analyzed the outcomes of 113 patients who underwent either conventional liposuction (n = 73) or liposuction followed by helium plasma RF (n = 40) performed by a single surgeon. Objective outcomes, complications, and the BODY-Q questionnaire were used to assess the procedural data and patient satisfaction.

In the long-term subgroup, patients treated with helium plasma RF reported significantly higher BODY-Q scores for appraisal of excess skin across all comparisons: full long-term cohort (87.8 versus 73.8), subgroup without abdominoplasty (92.8 versus 64), and subgroup excluding lipoabdominoplasty-only cases (87.8 versus 73.4). Among patients who did not undergo abdominoplasty, satisfaction with the abdominal appearance was also significantly higher (68.8 versus 45). Although satisfaction scores for other regions favored the helium plasma RF group, these differences were not statistically significant. The helium plasma RF group had a lower abdominoplasty rate (30% versus 67.1%), higher aspirated volumes (3357.1 versus 2637.2 mL), and a significantly lower revision rate (12% versus 37.5%). The complication rates were similar between the groups (2.5% versus 2.7%).

Liposuction followed by helium plasma RF was associated with favorable patient-reported satisfaction regarding abdominal contour and excess skin, lower revision and abdominoplasty rates, and higher aspirated volumes, with a safety profile comparable to that of conventional liposuction.