Liposuction as an adjunct to a full abdominoplasty.

The safety and locations for liposuction over the aesthetic unit of the abdomen in situations where a full (type IV) abdominoplasty was combined with liposuction were studied. The locations were determined based on the axial- and random-pattern blood supplies of the anterior abdominal wall. By using these areas and technical guidelines to enhance success, the combined procedures were undertaken in a consecutive series of patients. The efficacy of the procedures was assessed by patient acceptance and by the difference in the incidence of complications from an abdominoplasty alone group. The complication rates of the two groups were found to be similar, although it was ascertained that medically higher-risk situations, smoke exposure, and disregard for interacting vascular territories were detrimental to combined surgery. In addition, four suction areas (SA 1-4) were delineated, and the results suggested that certain areas are more reliable than others, that each suction area interacts with and affects neighboring areas, and that these are germane in preoperative planning. A risk-profile classification was established, and this proved beneficial for initial patient screening.