Abstract
Ever since the introduction of suction-assisted lipectomy in the United States in 1981, the technique has been applied to an increasing number of disorders of the subcutaneous tissues. Indeed, suction-assisted lipectomy has evolved into the method of choice in the treatment of certain pathological entities. While the extraction of lipomas is the most common functional application, suction-assisted lipectomy has also been used successfully to treat such conditions as gynecomastia, axillary hyperhidrosis, benign symmetric lipomatosis (Madelung's disease), congenital body asymmetry, congenital or acquired lymphedema, flap defatting, traumatic or postoperative hematomas, and fat necrosis. We have successfully treated patients presenting with the above disorders. No morbidities or mortalities were encountered in our series of 18 patients. The final results were considered favorable by the majority of patients. Acceptance by the patients of this treatment modality was extremely high because of the smaller incisions required, the exactness in contouring, the simple and minimal postoperative care needed, and the ease with which the procedure can be repeated to refine the results. A comprehensive review of the literature is presented along with our own patient management and long-term results.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Carlin MC, Ratz JL: Multiple symmetric lipomatosis: Treatment with liposuction. J Am Acad Dermatol18:359, 1988
Cohen IK: Discussion: Gynecomastia: suction lipectomy as a contemporary solution. Plast Reconstr Surg80:386, 1987
Coleman WP: Noncosmetic applications of liposuction. J Dermatol Surg Oncol14:1085, 1988
Dolph JL, Demuth RJ, Miller SH: Familial multiple lipomatosis. Plast Reconstr Surg66:620, 1980
Dolsky RL, Fetzek JR: Gynecomastia: treatment by liposuction. Am J Cosmet Surg4:27, 1987
Ellis H: Axillary hyperhidrosis: Failure of subcutaneous curettage. Br Med J30:301, 1977
Fischer A, Fischer GM: Revised technique for cellulitis fat reduction in riding breeches deformity. Bull Int Acad Cosmet Surg2:40, 1977
Goldwyn RM: The treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis (editorial). Arch SurgIII:13, 1976
Grazer FM: Suction-assisted lipectomy, suction lipectomy, lipolysis, and lipexeresis. Plast Reconstr Surg72:620, 1983
Hallock GG: Suction extraction of lipomas. Ann Plast Surg18:517, 1987
Hallock GG: Liposuction for debulking free flaps. J Reconstr Microsurg2:235, 1986
Harahap M: Management of hyperhidrosis axillaris. J Dermatol Surg Oncol5:223, 1979
Hetter GP: Lipoplasty: the theory and practice of blunt suction lipectomy. Boston: Little, Brown, 1984
Illouz YG: Body contouring by lipolysis: A 5-year experience with over 3000 cases. Plast Reconstr Surg72:591, 1983
Illouz YG: Surgical remodeling of the silhouette by aspiration lipolysis. Aesth Plast Surg9:7, 1985
Jemec B: Abrasio axillae in hyperhidrosis. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg9:44, 1975
Jemec B, Hansen BH: Followup of patients operated on for axillary hyperhidrosis by subcutaneous curettage. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg12:65, 1978
Kesselring UK, Meyer R: A suction curette for removal of excessive local deposits of subcutaneous fat. Plast Reconstr Surg56:305, 1978
McEwan CN, Jackson IT, Stice RC: The application of liposuction for removal of hematomas and fat necrosis. Ann Plast Surg19:480, 1987
Nava VM, Lawrence WT: Liposuction on a lymphedematous arm. Ann Plast Surg21:355, 1988
Rigg BM: Axillary hyperhidrosis. Plast Reconstr Surg59:334, 1977
Rosenberg GJ: Gynecomastia: suction lipectomy as a contemporary solution. Plast Reconstr Surg80:379, 1987
Rubenstein R, Roenigk HH, Gardeu JM, Goldberg NS, Pinski JB: Liposuction for lipomas. J Dermatol Surg Oncol11:1070, 1985
Schrudde J: Lipexeresis as a means of eliminating local adiposity. Aesth Plast Surg4:215, 1980
Schuler FA, Graham JK, Horton CE: Benign symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung's disease). Plast Reconstr Surg57:662, 1976
Shugar MA, Gavron JP: Benign symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung's disease). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg93:109, 1985
Shenaq SM, Spira M: Treatment of bilateral axillary hyperhidrosis by suction assisted lipolysis technique. Ann Plast Surg19:548, 1987
Simon BE, Hoffman S, Kahn S: Classification and surgical correction of gynecomastia. Plast Reconstr Surg51:48, 1973
Stallings JO: The defatting of flaps by lipolysis. In: Hetter GP (ed). Lipoplasty: The theory and practice of blunt suction lipectomy. Boston: Little, Brown, 1984, p 309
Taylor JR, Wilansky D: Symmetrical lipodystrophy with hypothrodism. Ann Plast Surg2:517, 1979
Winslow RB: The use of lipolysis for unusual diseases. In: Hetter GP (ed): Lipoplasty: the theory and practice of blunt suction lipectomy. Boston: Little, Brown, 1984, p 323
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Apesos, J., Chami, R. Functional applications of suction-assisted lipectomy: A new treatment for old disorders. Aesth. Plast. Surg. 15, 73–79 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02273837
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02273837