Clinical Experiences and Considerations of Large-Volume Liposuction

ABSTRACT

A review of recent reports showed that many surgeons define large-volume liposuction as the removal of over 5000ml of total aspirate. However, no clinical reports of single procedures in Korean involving aspirate volume of 5000 ml or greater have been presented. From May 2002 to December 2004, 59 patients with age averaging 31.2 years old underwent large-volume liposuction. Liposuction was performed using the superwet technique and a Lipomatic(R) vibropneumatic system. Clinical data, which included; body weight changes and BMIs at a postoperative 2 months, hemoglobin and hematocrit at a postoperative 2 days, operative time, and volume of infiltrate and aspirate, were evaluated. The average volumes of infiltrate and aspirate were 6916.7+/-1665.8ml and 6549.6+/-1787.2ml, respectively. Mean patient weight had decreased from 62.96+/-14.21 to 58.61+/-13.43kg with an average weight loss of 4.35kg, and mean body mass index from 23.84+/-3.91 to 22.17+/-3.70kg/m2 with an average drop of 1.67kg/m2; equivalent to a fall in weight per liter of aspirated volume of 0.66+/-0.09kg/L. Falls in hemoglobin and hematocrit per liter of aspirate volume were 0.46+/-0.07g/dl/L and 1.70+/-0.35%/L, respectively. Mean operative time per liter of aspirate was 39.6+/-2.1min/L. Complications were palpable skin irregularity in 5 patients; hyperpigmentation scars occurred in 5 patients; 2 of the heaviest women required blood transfusions; and 1 patient experienced prolonged edema. One major complication of subclinical fat embolism occurred. Cosmetic results were generally good. In conclusion, if patients are properly selected and fluid resuscitations are performed adequately, single stage liposuction involving aspirations of greater than 5000ml can be undertaken safely in Korean.