Functional and Therapeutic Indications of Liposuction

Abstract

Liposuction is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure worldwide. It has evolved from being designed primarily for body contouring to becoming essential adjunct to various other aesthetic procedures, greatly enhancing their outcome. Despite its hard clear differentiation between an aesthetic and therapeutic indication for some pathologic conditions, liposuction has been increasingly applied to a gamut of disorders as a therapeutic tool or to improve function. In fact, liposuction has ceased to define a specific procedure and became synonymous to a surgical technique or tool same as the surgical knife, laser, electrocautery, suture material, or even wound-dressing products. At present, there seems to be an enormous potential for the application of the basic liposuction technique in ablative and reconstructive surgery outside the realm of purely aesthetic procedures. The present review contemplates the various nonaesthetic applications of liposuction, displaying the enormous potentials of what should be considered a basic surgical technique rather than a specific aesthetic procedure. Implications of this new definition of liposuction should induce third-party public payers and insurance companies to reconsider their remuneration and reimbursement policies.

Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis: New Classification System Based on the Largest German Patient Cohort

“…As the only current therapies are liposuctions and surgical lipectomy (with a high level of recurrence), 22 – 26 further research regarding pathogenesis is required. First, a systematic anamnestic study, to assess the exact age and area of first lipomatous occurrence, a possible evolution or progress of affected areas, family occurrence, eating and drinking habits, physical activity, psychological factors, desire for therapy, and postoperative satisfaction is highly desirable.…”

Madelung’s Disease – Case Series and Treatment by Tumescent Liposuction or Lipectomy

“…Tumescent liposuction is an established technique not only for esthetic procedures but a variety of medical conditions. It offers a combination of adipose tissue removal and skin tightening [ 16 ].…”

A journey through liposuction and liposculture: Review

“…Lipedema is characterized by bilateral symmetrical and localized subcutaneous fat deposits of the buttocks and lower limbs. It causes significant physical disability, fatigability, pain, difficulty in wearing shoes and boots [46] .…”

“…Lipodystrophies represent a group of rare diseases characterized by selective body fat loss with altered body fat amount and/or repartition that can be either generalized or partial. Lipodystrophies are usually associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, liver steatosis, polycystic ovaries, acanthosis nigricans, and cardiovascular complications [46] , [50] .…”

“…The only therapeutic options for controlling the metabolic disorder are insulin sensitizers, insulin, and lipid-lowering drugs. Autologous adipose tissue transplantation or implantation of dermal fillers can improve facial appearance and excess adipose tissue from the chin, buffalo hump, and vulvar region can be surgically excised or removed by liposuction [46] , [52] .…”