Suction-Assisted Lipectomy: A New Way to Prevent Postsurgical Skin Waves

Abstract

Although suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) is becoming widely used, problems still arise from it. The occurrence of postsurgical skin waves clearly causes difficulties for surgeons. A surgical approach is presented that prevents these irregularities in the treated areas. For the past 10 years, suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) has proved to be one of the most effective techniques in solving the problem of localized adiposity. SAL is a simple procedure which is becoming widespread throughout the world. It is also associated with other surgical operations such as face and neck lifts, abdominal lifts, thigh lifts, and breast reduction. This technique has become increasingly refined so that it produces very effective and exciting results. Nevertheless, an unsolved problem persists: the possibility of creating unattractive depressions or holes in the treated areas. As is known, cosmetic surgical operations are performed not out of urgency or because of a need to treat a physical disease, but for aesthetic purposes. For this reason, any iatrogenic damage to the patient is of great concern, and doctors who perform such operations are oriented toward avoiding these complications. The problem of skin waves which many physicians face today needs to be addressed. Although waves may appear after an operation and disappear quickly thereafter, in many cases a permanent mark in the skin occurs and is not easily remedied after the operation.