Original research

Safety and benefits of large-volume liposuction: a single center experience

Youssef Saleh¹ , Mahmoud El-Oteify¹ , Abd-El-Radi Abd-El-Salam² , Ahmed Tohamy¹ and Alaa A Abd-Elsayed³

¹  Plastic Surgery Department, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

²  General Surgery Department, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

³  Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Assiut, Egypt

author email corresponding author email

International Archives of Medicine 2009, 2:4doi:10.1186/1755-7682-2-4

Published:	2 February 2009

Abstract

Background

Liposuction is a surgical technique to remove excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body. Purpose of this study is to determine how far large volume liposuction is safe and effective.

Methodology

From July 2003 to December 2005, 60 female patients had liposuction of different areas of the body as waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, and knees. Their mean age was 30.6 ± 15.4 years old. A standard liposuction technique was done by using a tumescent infiltration formula. The average amount of infusate was 3000 cc, with an average aspirate amount of 6000 cc. Pre-operative anthropometric measurements as weight, height, body mass index, areas to be liposuctioned in addition to pre-operative hematological investigations as complete blood picture, blood sugar, liver function tests, blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum cholesterol were done.

Results

The results were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative photographs. Postoperative anthropometric measurements and hematological investigations were done at 6^th week, and 4^th month after surgery. The rate of complications was low and relatively minor in nature. No major complications were presented. Minor complications have occurred as skin irregularities (20%), Seroma (15%), Garment pressure sore (10%), Cutaneous hyper-pigmentation (5%).

Conclusion

Large-volume liposuction can be performed safely and it can produce desirable morphological and hematological changes.