History; Emergence of a modern treatment method

Modern liposuction was first performed in 1982 by a French surgeon named Illouz Gerard-Yves. Illouz method was a suction technique with lipolysis that after injection of fluid into the tissue by blunt cannula, high-vacuum suction was performed, leading to reduced postoperative complications and a satisfactory result.

In 1985, Klein and Lillis introduced the Tumescent technique, which was a method of local anesthesia that used a large volume of local anesthesia-containing fluid, to use in an office under intravenous sedatives. The high volume of liquid and the toxicity of lidocaine in this method, it was led to a lower-volume technique i.e. Tumescence Super Wet technique. In the late 1990s, ultrasound was used, the energy of which liquefied fat and eventually removed it. After its initial enthusiasm, reports of its side effects moderated its initial acceptance.

In recent years, technologies containing laser probes have been developed that lead to thermal lipolysis, and based on evaluations, the benefits of these methods over older technologies have been proven. Overall, the results of 30 years of advancement in liposuction technology are more fat cell removal, less bleeding, fewer complications, and lower risk. Recent advances have shortened the postoperative recovery period. Excessive fat removal is a complex process that can be life-threatening. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons overestimates more than 5 liters. Liposuction is more commonly performed on the abdomen and thighs of females and the abdomen and hips of males.

 

Who can utilize this technology?

Liposuction is not for everyone. You should note that liposuction is not a substitute for exercise and a proper diet. Therefore, this technology is useful for special treatments. Candidates for liposuction must meet the following conditions:

  • Age over 18 years
  • Proper physical health according to the physician’s diagnosis
  • No diabetes, infection, or heart problems
  • Having a proper diet depending on the physician’s diagnosis
  • Doing regular daily exercise

What are the approaches in liposuction?

Liposuction is performed with different approaches. Removing the proper amount of fat is a sensitive and precise procedure that must be performed by a specialist after initial assessments. Overall, fat is removed by a cannula and using a vacuum device. Liposuction systems are classified according to the amount of fluid injected and the mechanism of action of the cannulas.

Mechanism of Suction-Assisted Liposuction (SAL)

This technique is the standard method of liposuction in which a small straw-like cannula is inserted through a small incision. This cannula is connected to a vacuum device. By pressing and pulling it back and forth on the fat, the surgeon breaks down the fat and removes it from the body.

(UAL) Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

In this technique, a special cannula transmits ultrasound vibration waves into the body, which causes the fat cell walls to break down, become liquefied, and facilitate suction.

UAL is a suitable choice for fibrous areas such as the upper back or chest of men. This method takes more time than traditional liposuction but less time than Tumescent liposuction. In addition, it causes less bleeding. This method has a higher risk of causing seroma, which must be drawn with a needle.

After ultrasonic liposuction, an assisted liposuction must be performed to remove liquefied fat. UAL techniques performed in the 1980s and 1990s caused tissue damage due to high ultrasound waves. Using third-generation UAL systems, the physician can safely remove fat by delivering pulsed energy through a dedicated probe.

Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)

This technique is performed using specialized movable cannulas, some of which have only forward, backward and transverse movements. The new-generation cannulas have three-dimensional movements (forward, backward, transverse, rotational) and allow the physician to lyse and remove fats only by directing the cannula without any special force on it.

Twin Cannula Assisted Liposuction (TCAL, TCL)

This technique uses a twin cannula, one tube inside another one. The cannula that sucks the fat is mechanically placed in front of the internal cannula, so there is no pressure on the patient’s tissue or the surgeon’s hand joints.

The inner suction cannula within the outer cannula moves up to 5 cm and vibrates 1-2 mm, helping to reduce the force required to perform the process. Superficial or subdermal liposuction is performed without the cannulas getting hot, due to the spacing effect of the outer cannula. The result is less burning and scarring.

External Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (EUAL or XUAL)

XUAL is a type of UAL that requires the transcutaneous application of high-frequency ultrasonic fields. Since the UAL technique causes skin necrosis and seroma, this method was developed. XUAL is a way to prevent these complications through the external application of ultrasound waves.

In addition, fewer complications are made for the patient during and after the technique. At present, this method is rarely usable because its effectiveness over other techniques has not yet been proven.

Water-Assisted Liposuction (WAL)

WAL uses a fan-shaped jet of tumescent solution that loosens the structure of adipose tissue and removes it through another cannula. During liposuction, water is continuously added and immediately sucked through a similar cannula. The WAL technique requires less solution spraying and causes less swelling.

What is the best device?

LIPOMATIC and EVAMATIC devices are among the top liposuction-base devices. in addition, You can get acquainted with these two devices and obtain more information by referring to the page “The best liposuction device”.

The use of liposuction technology in medicine and beauty is very common worldwide. In this article, we informed you with liposuction technology. However, we guess there are questions and concerns in your mind due to the complexity of this technology. You can write your questions in the comments section for Aftab Forouzan Aria experts to answer them.