Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Lipoabdominoplasty is nearly a daily aesthetic procedure. Despite the emergence of laser-assisted liposuction,
to date, it has not been clearly evaluated combined with
abdominoplasty. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the
effectiveness and safety of laser-assisted liposuction relative to traditional liposuction combined with high-lateral-tension abdominoplasty.
METHODS:
This study investigated 36 consecutive female patients who underwent high-lateral-tension abdominoplasty combined with liposuction
of the upper central abdomen and both flanks. The patients were divided
into three equal groups based on the technique used for liposuction. Group 1 underwent conventional liposuction with abdominoplasty. Group 2 underwent a mixture of conventional and laser-assisted liposuction with abdominoplasty. Group 3 underwent laser-assisted liposuction with abdominoplasty.
RESULTS:
The
patients in groups 2 and 3 had a better aesthetic outcome than those in
group 1 with regard to abdominal contour and skin tightness. No major
complications were observed in groups 1 and 2. The patients in group 3
had a higher incidence of complications (3 seromas, 3 central necroses
and dehiscence), and one patient underwent secondary sutures.
CONCLUSION:
Laser-assisted liposuction
combined with abdominoplasty in the lateral abdomen seems to be a safe
technique with good aesthetic outcomes. Although the combined use of
laser-assisted liposuction
in the lateral and central abdomen can achieve relatively better
aesthetic results, it is associated with significant complications, and
its use cannot be supported. Proper laser parameters in the central
abdominal area still need further study.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV:
This
journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each
article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine
ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online
Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
