Download PDF
Semin Plast Surg 2002; 16(2): 153-156
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-32254
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Guidelines for Ensuring Safety in Large-Volume Liposuction

Lee H. Colony
  • Michigan State University, Michigan Plastic Surgery, East Lansing, MI
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 June 2002 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

This article outlines considerations that allow large-volume liposuction to be performed safely. Requirements include appropriate patient selection, a solid operating team, sequential infiltration and aspiration, limiting lidocaine to less than 35 mg/kg, avoiding hypothermia, urine output monitoring, IV fluid restriction, and early and frequent postoperative ambulation and massage. Plastic surgeons adhering to these principles should be able to progress from limited and staged procedures to single-stage large-volume aspirations while maintaining safety standards and achieving a high degree of patient satisfaction.

KEYWORDS

Large-volume liposuction - lidocaine - lipoplasty fluid regimens

REFERENCES

  • 1 Grazer F M. Suction-assisted lipectomy, suction lipectomy, lipoloysis, and lipoexhersis: a discussion.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1983;  72 620-623
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Illouz Y. History and current concepts of lipoplasty.  Clin Plast Surg . 1996;  23 721-730
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Gorney M. Liability in suction assisted lipectomy: a different perspective.  Clin Plast Surg . 1999;  26 441-445
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Gorney M. Sucking fat: an 18-year statistical and personal retrospective.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 2001;  107 608-613
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Annual Business Meeting, Approved Resolution, May 2001
  • 6 Fodor P B. The role of subcutaneous infiltration in suction-assisted lipoplasty: a review.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1997;  99 514-520
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Fodor P B. Wetting solutions in aspirative lipoplasty: a plea for safety in liposuction.  Aesth Plast Surg . 1995;  19 379-380
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Hunstad J P. Addressing difficult areas in body contouring with emphasis on combined tumescent and syringe techniques.  Clin Plast Surg . 1996;  23 57-60
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Klein J A. Tumescent technique chronicles. Local anesthesia, liposuction, and beyond.  Dermatol Surg . 1995;  21 449-457
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Trott S A, Beran S J, Rohrich R J, Kenkel J M, Adams Jr P W, Kline K W. Safety considerations and fluid resuscitation in liposuction: an analysis of 53 consecutive patients.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1998;  102 222-229
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Giese S Y, Bulan E J, Commons G W, Spear S L, Yanoyski J A. Improvements in cardiovascular risk profile with large-volume liposuction: a pilot study.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 2001;  108 510-521
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar