Dermatologic Surgery
Liposuction-assisted posterior brachioplasty: technical refinements in upper arm contouring
Nguyen AT, Rohrich RJ. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;126:1365-1369.
Physicians are always on the lookout for improvements and refinements to minimize complications and maximize results for even gold standard treatments. Recent attention to the increase in patients undergoing brachioplasty (arm lift) by 4059% from 2000 to 2008 inspired researchers to add a new liposuction-assisted contouring step in the effort to refine this surgical treatment. The authors report that 21 study patients were selected based on an analysis of skin and excess fat of the posterior arm. Markings and technique for both liposuction and surgical excision are presented in an operative video. Study authors found that the modified technique was well tolerated by patients, with only one wound dehiscence and one hypertrophic scar reported. No revisions were necessary. Authors concluded that liposuction is a valuable addition to posterior brachioplasty in the right patients. Not only does this modified technique simplify the surgical marking and resection process, but it also makes it safer by preventing excess blood loss and preserving nerves and lymphatics.
Available at PubMed (PMID: 20885260): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20885260