History of dermatology: the study of skin diseases over the centuries

The study of skin, the science of dermatology, has undergone significant transformations throughout the centuries. From the first descriptions of skin diseases in Egyptian papyri and in Hippocratic writings to the first treatises on dermatology, important individuals and discoveries have marked the specialty. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the specialty consolidated itself as a field of medical study based on the first classifications of dermatoses, diagnostic methods, and drug treatments. In the 20th century, the scientific and technological revolution transformed dermatological practice, incorporating new therapeutic resources, as well as surgical and aesthetic procedures. In the face of such a vigorous process, it is important to provide a historical synthesis for the medical community to recognize and understand the origins that supported one of the most relevant specialties in the current medical scenario.

A journey through liposuction and liposculture: Review

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, liposuction is the most frequently performed aesthetic surgery procedure in Western Countries. This technique has had rapid development since the 1970s, when it was experimented for the first time by A. and G. Fischer. It is currently widely used in clinical practice for many different situations in aesthetic, reconstructive and functional fields.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review aims to describe the historical evolution of liposuction by analyzing the transformation of the method in function of the introduction of innovative ideas or instruments. We have also focused on reporting the major clinical applications of this surgical technique, applicable to almost the entire body surface. We finally analyzed the complications, both major and minor, associated with this surgical technique.

RESULTS

Liposuction is mainly used to correct deep and superficial fat accumulations and remodel the body contour. It has become an essential complementary technique to enhance the aesthetic result of many other aesthetic procedures such as reduction mammoplasty, abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, thigh lift and post bariatric body contouring. However, it can be largely used for the treatment of innumerable pathologies in reconstructive surgery such as lipomas, lipedema, lipodystrophies, pneudogynecomastia and gynecomastia, macromastia e gigantomastia, lymphedema and many others. The complication rate is very low, especially when compared with conventional excisional surgery and the major, complications are generally associated with improper performance of the technique and poor patient management before and after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Liposuction is a safe, simple and effective method of body contouring. It has enormous potential for its application in ablative and reconstructive surgery, far from the most common aesthetic processes with a very low complication rate.

Liposuction in cosmetic dermatology

Liposuction is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures in the world today. The central role of dermatologists in evolving many of the procedural methods now used is discussed. Tumescent anaesthesia and the associated tumescent technique proper allow liposuction to be performed safely and effectively in an outpatient setting. An overview of the technique and applications is presented.

Skin retraction after liposuction in patients over the age of 40

BACKGROUND

A commonly held misperception regarding liposuction in patients over 40 years of age is that the skin will not retract and redrape following removal of the fat.

OBJECTIVE

In order to evaluate tissue retraction in the abdomen, neck, and arms in patients undergoing liposuction after 40 years of age, the following study was conducted.

METHOD

A total of 58 patients ranging in age from 40 to 75 years underwent liposuction. Thirty had liposuction of the abdomen, 20 had liposuction of the neck, and 8 had liposuction of the arms. Measurements in inches and weight in pounds were recorded before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure.

RESULTS

Ninety percent of the patients were women. The rest of the patients were men. The average age of the patients undergoing liposuction of the abdomen was 55 years old. The average supranatant fat extracted from these patients was 1725 ml, with an average lidocaine dose of 36 mg/kg of body weight. The patients who had liposuction of the abdomen demonstrated an average weight loss of 5 lb and a decrease of 3 inches in waistline 6 months after the procedure. For those patients who had liposuction of the neck, the average age was 57 years old. The average supranatant fat extracted from these patients was 75 ml, with an average lidocaine dose of 4 mg/kg of body weight. The patients who had liposuction of the neck decreased an average of 1.3 inches in circumference without any weight change 6 months after the procedure. For those patients having liposuction of the arms, the average age was 44 years. The average supranatant fat extracted from these patients was 525 ml, with an average lidocaine dose of 16 mg/kg of body weight. The patients who had liposuction of the arms had an average of 0.5 inch decrease in circumference without any weight change 6 months after the procedure. The cosmetic results were good to excellent. Our highest lidocaine dose occurred in a patient having suction of the abdomen and was 71 mg/kg of body weight. No patients experienced any objective or subjective signs of lidocaine toxicity.

CONCLUSION

Tumescent liposuction of the abdomen, neck, and arms is a safe alternative for contour improvement with good cosmetic results in patients over 40 years of age.