Power-assisted Suction Lipectomy of Fasciocutaneous Flaps in the Extremities

Abstract

In our experience power-assisted suction lipectomy is a safe and excellent adjunct in fasciocutaneous flap debulking and reduces the number of secondary revision procedures necessary. We recommend its use as an adjunct in debulking and contouring flaps used in extremity reconstruction.

Aesthetic and Functional Revision of Free Flaps Used In Soft Tissue Reconstruction

“…results were compared with patient satisfaction during daily activities, aesthetic appearence and preoperative and postoperative photographies. 32 flaps were at distal third leg and ankle areas, so patients are able Özlenen ÖZKAN 1 dirler (7). Kliniğimizde yapmış olduğumuz bütün inceltme operasyonları için en az 6 aylık bir sürenin geçmesini beklemekteyiz.…”

“…Bazı yazarlar tarafından rekonstruksiyon ile eş zamanlı flep inceltmesi önerirken, bazıları eş zamanlı inceltme önermek-tedirler (8,11). Yapılan yayınların birçoğunda geciktirilmiş flep inceltilmesi önerilmektedir (1,7,12). Bazı otörler ise fasyokutan fleplerin inceltilmesi için, flep cildinin tam kalınlıkta deri grefti şeklinde kaldırılması, ardından cilt altı yağ dokunun eksizyonu ve kaldırılan deri greftinin yeniden yerleştirilmesini önermektedirler (12,13).…”

“…Bu yöntemin dezavantajı ise yeni bir deri grefti alınması gerektiginden oluşabilecek donör alan morbiditesidir. Çeşitli çalışmalar flep inceltme operasyonun ilk operasyondan 3 ay sonra yapılabileceğini savunulmaktadır (1,5,6). Bazı çalışmalar ise 8 aylık bir sürenin geçmesini önermekte-…”

Functional and Therapeutic Indications of Liposuction

“…However, harvested f laps are generally oversized to provide ample tissue for reconstruction. 6,100,101 Although successful reconstruction remains the primary goal, after convalescence and functional recovery, a bulky f lap appearance is one of the major patient complaints becoming increasingly important with regard to quality of life. 6,100Y102 Flap revision and contouring to fit adequately over certain anatomical areas such as the foot, ankle, and pretibial area or even the breasts and the face greatly improves functional results.…”

“…At present, there seems to be an enormous potential for the application of liposuction techniques in ablative and reconstructive surgery, outside the realm of purely aesthetic procedures. 6,7 Moreover, with mounting evidence about the role of adipose tissue beyond that of mere storage compartment, and that its dysfunction combined with ensuing insulin resistance, exerts a negative impact on all other tissues, including the heart, by creating a much more lipotoxic environment in peripheral tissues, it is not surprising that in the near future, decreasing the mass of fat tissue would prove to have a therapeutic effect. 8 Despite the hard clear differentiation between aesthetic and therapeutic indications of liposuction, such as the combination of submental liposuction and orthognatic surgery 9 or for correction of craniofacial malformations, 10 the fundamental principles of the technique have evolved into the method of choice in the treatment of various entities and has been increasingly applied to a gamut of disorders other than pure aesthetic body contouring.…”