Preventing liposuction complications

High-Definition Lipoplasty in Male Patients: A Systematic Review of Surgical Techniques and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Lipoplasty has undergone a series of refinements since its inception. It is now possible to apply superficial suction to enhance the outline of a muscle in order to improve the results of aesthetic lipoplasty.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to summarize the available evidence on the techniques and surgical outcomes of high-definition lipoplasty (HDL) in male patients.

METHODS

A systematic search across PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, and SCOPUS was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Data regarding the surgical techniques, outcomes, and complications were extracted.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies comprising 1280 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The age of patients ranged from 18 to 71 years. The average BMI was 26.5 kg/m2. The follow-up ranged from 2 weeks to 10 years. The liposculpting concepts reported were abdominal etching, high-definition, muscular sculpture, and dynamic definition. Four studies used conventional liposuction, 3 used VASER-assisted HDL, and 6 studies used power-assisted liposculpting. Eight studies reported the use of fat grafting. All studies reported the use of postoperative garments and a well-established wound treatment protocol. Overall satisfaction ranged from 84% to 100%. The most common complications reported were fluid collection, hyperpigmentation, contour irregularities, anemia, and port dehiscence.

CONCLUSIONS

A wide variety of techniques are available to perform HDL with a variable degree of definition. Careful patient selection is critical for successful results because HDL is not suitable for every patient. Finally, proper training and adequate knowledge of abdominal anatomy is necessary to avoid complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

The Forensic Implications of Liposuction: A Review

Liposuction continues to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in developed cultures worldwide. Since a 1999 report describing five liposuction-related deaths in New York City, three of which were incompletely explained, abundant analysis and literature has emerged. This paper aims to present the history of liposuction, review recent clinical safety/guidelines and forensic fatality literature, describe current and emerging trends and techniques, and offer an approach to the forensic investigation of these deaths.