Suction lipoplasty comprising 3511 procedures in 2009 patients was followed up prospectively for 6 to 12 months over a 5-year period. Eighty-eight percent of the procedures led to patient satisfaction and 3.4 percent led to dissatisfaction. Males were more dissatisfied than females.
No mortality, deep thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, hypotension, or respiratory distress (fat emboli syndrome) was registered. Excessive bleeding and complications from anesthesia were the most common general complications. No hematoma, skin slough, or damage to adjacent organs occurred. Hypertrophic scarring and skin problems caused by external factors were the most common local complications. Only one clinical bacterial infection occurred.
Three hundred and seventy-nine undesired results were registered by the 6-month follow-up, and 213 revisions because of asymmetry, underresection, or skin problems were performed. A total of 121 procedures unexpectedly required secondary suction, skin excision, or fat grafting. Forty-five sequelae were not corrected by revisions.
Medial thigh, buttock, ankle, and facial suction emerged as the most difficult locations with regard to the results and complication rate. The age group 20 to 49 years emerged as the least troublesome.
(C)1991American Society of Plastic Surgeons