Bao Ngoc N Tran1, Christopher J Didzbalis1, Tiffany Chen2, Nikita O Shulzhenko1, Mokhtar Asaadi3,4. 1. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA. 2. Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Hackensack, NJ, USA. 3. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ, USA. mokhtarasaadi@gmail.com. 4. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, 101 Old Short Hills Road, Suite 504, West Orange, NJ, 07052, USA. mokhtarasaadi@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The introduction of third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction (3rd UAL) allows for a less invasive modality of both deep and superficial lipectomy while offering improved skin retraction and reduced rate of complications. This study examined the efficacy and safety profile of this technology over 15 years of clinical experience. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients treated from 2005-2020 by the senior author were reviewed for demographic and anthropometric measurements, intraoperative settings, surgical outcomes, and complications via retrospective chart review. Body-Q survey was used to assess patient satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 261 patients underwent 3rd UAL in 783 areas. There were 238 female and 23 male patients with an average age of 43.5 years and BMI of 27.4 kg/m2. The most frequently treated areas were the trunk and lower limbs. An average of 2840 mL of wetting solution was used with an average of 2284 mL of lipocrit aspirate. About 65% of the cases were done in conjunction with another procedure. Overall complication rate was 4.6%, contour irregularity (1.9%), seroma (0.8%), cellulitis (0.8%), pigmentation changes (0.4%), and electrolyte imbalance (0.4%), with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. 78% of patient would undergo the procedure again and 86% would recommend it. CONCLUSION: Third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction can be used effectively and safely, either alone, or in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures. VASER liposuction allows surgeons to address superficial fat plane and enhanced skin tightening. Rate of complications are lower than that of traditional liposuction with equivalent or higher patient satisfaction. 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 .
BACKGROUND: The introduction of third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction (3rd UAL) allows for a less invasive modality of both deep and superficial lipectomy while offering improved skin retraction and reduced rate of complications. This study examined the efficacy and safety profile of this technology over 15 years of clinical experience. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients treated from 2005-2020 by the senior author were reviewed for demographic and anthropometric measurements, intraoperative settings, surgical outcomes, and complications via retrospective chart review. Body-Q survey was used to assess patient satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 261 patients underwent 3rd UAL in 783 areas. There were 238 female and 23 male patients with an average age of 43.5 years and BMI of 27.4 kg/m2. The most frequently treated areas were the trunk and lower limbs. An average of 2840 mL of wetting solution was used with an average of 2284 mL of lipocrit aspirate. About 65% of the cases were done in conjunction with another procedure. Overall complication rate was 4.6%, contour irregularity (1.9%), seroma (0.8%), cellulitis (0.8%), pigmentation changes (0.4%), and electrolyte imbalance (0.4%), with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. 78% of patient would undergo the procedure again and 86% would recommend it. CONCLUSION: Third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction can be used effectively and safely, either alone, or in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures. VASER liposuction allows surgeons to address superficial fat plane and enhanced skin tightening. Rate of complications are lower than that of traditional liposuction with equivalent or higher patient satisfaction. 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 .