Safety of Tumescent Liposuction: Liposuction.com
Dermatologic Surgery
1995 Abstract
9505-459 Hanke
Hanke CW, Bernstein G, Bullock S.
Safety of tumescent liposuction in 15,336 patients. National survey results. Dermatol Surg. 1995
May;21(5):459-62. PMID: 7743109
Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis,
USA.
BACKGROUND. Tumescent liposuction is a new method of liposuction under local
anesthesia that has been developed by dermatologic surgeons. OBJECTIVE. To
determine the safety of tumescent liposuction in a large group of patients
treated by dermatologic surgeons. METHODS. A survey questionnaire was sent to
1,778 Fellows of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery in February 1994.
The comprehensive questionnaire requested information on numbers of patients
treated with tumescent liposuction and complications that occurred. RESULTS.
Sixty-six dermatologic surgeons provided data on 15,336 patients. The
complications that were reported were infrequent and minor. There were no
serious complications such as death, embolism (pulmonary or fat), hypovolemic
shock, perforation of peritoneum or thorax, or thrombophlebitis. Blood
transfusions were not required in any of the 15,336 patients and there were no
admissions to the hospital for treatment of complications. CONCLUSIONS.
Tumescent liposuction is an exceptionally safe method of liposuction under local
anesthesia that eliminates the necessity of general anesthesia and blood
transfusions. Tumescent liposuction is safer than liposuction under general
anesthesia and results in fewer complications.