Superficial liposuction

Abstract

Over a period of 12 years, the authors have seen that skin retracts after the judicious treatment of deep and superficial layers of fat tissue, laying to rest what has been one of the biggest fears of this treatment of lipoaspiration, namely cutaneous flaccidity. The adequate and judicious approach to these two layers, along with the increasing use and help of lipo-injection, permits the lessening of irregularities such as undulations and/or depressions.

Lipoabdominoplasty with Progressive Traction Sutures

“…The apical portion was released near the xiphoid in a digital way, as described by Dr. Souza Pinto. 1 Then, the entire supra-umbilical area was undermined up to the region of the lateral perforating vessels of the abdominal rectus muscles. 1 , 9 , 19 , 30 This dissection left a thin layer of adipose tissue on the abdominal rectus muscles to prevent seroma formation.…”

“… 1 Then, the entire supra-umbilical area was undermined up to the region of the lateral perforating vessels of the abdominal rectus muscles. 1 , 9 , 19 , 30 This dissection left a thin layer of adipose tissue on the abdominal rectus muscles to prevent seroma formation. After careful hemostasis with a monopolar double clamp, plication of the diastasis of the rectus abdominis was performed with a 2-0 Mononylon X-type suture, as described by Nahas and Ferreira.…”

“…Lipoabdominoplasty is a hybrid surgical procedure that combines liposuction 1 and abdominoplasty, 2 and lowers the rate of complications. 3 , 4 This procedure, first reported in 2001 and 2003 by Dr. Osvaldo Saldanha, is gaining popularity within the plastic surgery community.…”

Unfavourable outcomes of liposuction and their management

“…Prolonged aspiration in one spot and excessive superficial liposuctioning should be avoided. [13] Although superficial liposuction permits excellent skin retraction,[3134] Illouz recommended leaving at least a 5 mm layer of fat under the skin and on the fascia to prevent surface irregularities. [25] More recently, Gasparotti's recommends removal of deep layer of fat as well as the subdermal layer of fat without damaging the dermis.…”

“…[313436] According to these authors, liposuction in both superficial and deep layers of fat enables more effective removal of fat, effective skin retraction as well as improvement of cellulite. Gasparotti believed that in superficial liposculpture skin is an ‘active structural dynamic contributor to the body contouring process’ and not just a passive element.…”