ABSTRACT
The application of liposuction surgical techniques has evolved since the introduction
of the procedure in the 1970s. The use of the wetting solution as part of the surgical
procedure has changed the conduct of the surgery and has expanded the cosmetic and
aesthetic possibilities for the patient. The patient may now obtain a more dramatic
change in body contour by removal of larger volumes of fat taken from a larger number
of surgical areas. Patients that needed large volumes of fat to be resected to achieve
a significant change in body contour may now benefit from large-volume liposuction.
By incorporating large-volume liposuction into a plastic surgical practice we have
more to offer a larger number of patients who desire changes in body contour. As with
all surgery, risks to the patient are associated with these new procedures. Patient
safety remains the primary concern in performing large-volume liposuction. The safe
conduct of large-volume liposuction demands adherence to the pillars of safe surgery.
To successfully perform large-volume liposuction, safe and knowledgeable surgeons
must practice with knowledgeable anesthesiologists. The operating room staff must
be knowledgeable of the special features associated with liposuction and the surgery
must take place in a fully equipped, hospital equivalent, surgical facility. In this
country, major surgery is conducted in fully equipped medical facilities and large-volume
liposuction is certainly major surgery. Communication among all members of the operating
room team during the procedure facilitates the safe conduct of the surgery. Proper
patient selection for the surgical procedure is a cornerstone principle of all surgery
and is critical for safe conduct of large-volume liposuction. The ability to perform
large-volume liposuction does not mean all patients are surgical candidates. A well-informed
patient with appropriate expectations of the final cosmetic outcome is most likely
to be satisfied with the surgical result.
KEYWORDS
Large-volume liposuction - ultrasonic liposuction - residual fluid theory
