Louisville Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Research Roundup

Cosmetic Liposuction: Preoperative Risk Factors, Major Complication Rates, and Safety of Combined Procedures

Christodoulos Kaoutzanis, MD, Varun Gupta, MD, MPH, Julian Winocour, MD, John Layliev, MD, Roberto Ramirez, MD, James C. Grotting, MD, FACS, Kent Higdon, MD, FACS; Aesthet Surg J 2017; 37 (6): 680-694

Background

Liposuction represents the most common procedure in plastic surgery.  Over 396,000 procedures were performed in 2015.  Liposuction is now commonly utilized in addition to other procedures, such as abdominoplasty, thigh lift, facial aesthetic procedures, fat grafting, breast augmentation, and breast lifting procedures.  This study sought to evaluate adverse events to better educate patients and to help make informed decisions when deciding on procedures to be performed.     

Methods

Databases were reviewed to evaluate the incidence of adverse events in over 2500 patients undergoing liposuction, either alone or in combination with other procedures.  Adverse events evaluated included hematoma, infection, wound healing problems, pulmonary and cardiac problems, blood clots (venous thromboembolism), and physiologic fluid problems.

Results

 Liposuction procedures were associated with an overall 0.7% risk of major adverse events.  When combined with other procedures, the risk of adverse events was approximately 3.5%.  Factors that were associated with increased risk include: advanced age, obesity, tobacco use, diabetes, female gender, procedures performed in hospitals, and combined procedures. 

Conclusion

Overall, liposuction has a low rate of adverse events when used primarily or in combination with other procedures.  Several risk factors were identified: advanced age, obesity, tobacco use, diabetes, female gender, procedures performed in hospitals.  This data allows for better patient education and ability to enhance patient safety.

               

Take-home message

Liposuction is associated with a low rate of adverse events, when used alone or in combination with other procedures.  It is important to consider risk factors when deciding on procedures performed.  Patients should be honest with their surgeons regarding their medical problems and tobacco use.  Patient safety is the number one priority in plastic surgery.  It is important to trust your surgeon if he/she advises against a procedure based on your risk.  As an old mentor once said, “just because you can do something, it doesn’t mean that you should”.