International Journal of Clinical & Medical Surgery
ISSN: 3069-2067 | DOI: 10.64030/3069-2067
Denis Souto Valente, Rafaela Koehler Zanella, Georgia Marques Jardim, Carolina Guimarães Herzog, Gustavo Gianesini and Lauro Aita Carvalho
Background: Lipedema is a chronic condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of subcutaneous fat, primarily in the lower extremities. Liposuction, including conventional and laser-assisted techniques, is a common symptom relief and cosmetic improvement treatment. This study compares the outcomes of conventional liposuction versus laserassisted liposuction in patients with lipedema.
Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted involving 10 patients diagnosed with Grade 1 lipedema who underwent liposuction between January 2023 to April 2024. Five patients underwent conventional liposuction (control group), and five patients received laser-assisted liposuction (case group). Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. The laser-assisted liposuction group showed a significant reduction in operative time (94 ± 10 min vs. 122 ± 15 min, p = 0.003) and blood loss (408 ± 30 mL vs. 551 ± 50 mL, p < 0.001). Postoperative pain scores were lower (VAS: 4.2 ± 0.8 vs. 6.5 ± 1.0, p = 0.01), and return to normal activities was faster (6.4 ± 1.5 days vs. 9.8 ± 2.1 days, p = 0.03). Complication rates were similar, with no significant differences.
Conclusion: Laser-assisted liposuction offers advantages over conventional liposuction, including reduced operative time, blood loss, and postoperative pain, facilitating quicker recovery in lipedema patients. Both methods are effective for symptom management.