[Quantitative analysis of blood loss in liposuction]. / Análise quantitativa das perdas sanguíneas em lipoaspiração.

This study was performed in 15 female patients submitted to suction lipectomy as an isolated procedure, to establish blood loss in the procedure. A wide variation of blood-to-fat ratios was observed (17 to 59%) with a mean blood loss in lipoaspirates of 34 +/- 3%. Internal blood losses occurring in the first 72 post-operative hours were as important as or more important than external losses, and responsible for a mean 7% fall in the level of hemoglobin. Internal blood losses occurred between 72 hours and the 7th to the 10th post-operative days and were responsible for a mean 3% fall in the level of hemoglobin. Blood losses occurring in this study were demonstrated to be greater than usually assumed. Some prophylactic measures are recommended to provide for a safer treatment of these patients: an iron supplementation during the pre-operative period; careful clinical and laboratorial screening for bleeding disorders and for the intake of drugs that can interfere with coagulation; use of smaller-diameter cannulas for aspiration, auto-transfusion when aspirating in excess of 1,000 ml, and limiting the aspiration to 1,500 ml.

Transplantation, identity and drug addiction.

This report is the follow-up of an earlier work in which the authors set forth some considerations on the psychopathological aspects connected with the transplantation of young Portuguese from the ex-colonies. The group studied was composed of 22 cases of drug addiction admitted to the Centre for Drug Research and Prophylaxis, Coimbra, over a specified period. A qualitative and quantitative change in drug consumption and an increase in delinquent behaviour were considered of particular interest and specifically linked to transplantation. An initial analysis indicated the enormous importance of the conflict of identity which existed in the transplantation situation which was subsequently explored in more depth. Transplantation put to the test the capacity to adapt and involved profound changes in defensive mechanisms, which under unfavourable social conditions took on a distinctly regressive character. In view of the age group of the cases under study (adolescents), the frustrations resulting from transplantation were thus added to a crisis of maturation which was already regressive in itself. Some clinical examples are provided.