• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.288-304
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• 2023

Background Untreated lymphedema of an extremity leads to an increase in volume. The therapy of this condition can be conservative or surgical. Methods "Lymphological liposculpture" is a two-part procedure consisting of resection and conservative follow-up treatment to achieve curative volume adjustment of the extremities in secondary lymphedema. This treatment significantly reduces the need for complex decongestive therapy (CDT). From 2005 to 2020, 3,184 patients with secondary lymphedema after breast cancer and gynecological tumors were treated in our practice and clinic. "Lymphological liposculpture" was applied to 65 patients, and the data were recorded and evaluated by means of perometry and questionnaires. Results The alignment of the sick to the healthy side was achieved in all patients. In 58.42% (n = 38), the CDT treatment could be completely stopped postoperatively; in another 33.82% (n = 22) of the patients, a permanent reduction of the CDT was achieved. In 7.69% (n = 5) patients, the postoperative CDT could not be reduced. A total of 92.30% (n = 60) of the patients described a lasting significant improvement in their quality of life. Conclusion "Lymphological liposculpture" is a standardized curative sustainable procedure for secondary lymphedema for volume adjustment of the extremities and reduction of postoperative CDT with eminent improvement of the quality of life.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.861-866
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• 2011

Purpose: Together with the breast, buttocks are an important element of attractive body contour. To make a beautiful buttocks, improvement of body contour around the buttock as well as buttock augmentation and lifting is also important. The authors investigated characteristic features of buttocks in Koreans and report about the results of liposculpture and autologous fat injection for improving buttock's contour. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 21 patients who would like to gluteal reshaping. We checked about buttock's ptosis, projection, depression, gluteal retraction and excessive fat accumulation around buttocks. Depending on it, we performed liposculpture and autologous fat injection. Under general anesthesia, we harvested fat from excessive fat accumulation areas around buttocks, and injected into buttocks medio-superiorly. Postoperatively, pillows were positioned on the bed not to press the buttocks which were injected with the fat. Results: Based on the shape of buttocks, A-shape is seen in 4 cases (19%), V-shape 3 cases (14%), squareshape 9 cases (43%), round-shape 5 cases (24%). Based on the Gonzalez's ptosis grading method, 1 degree ptosis is 1 case (4%), 2 degree ptosis is 6 cases (29%), 3 degree ptosis is 8 cases (38%), 4 degree ptosis is 6 cases (29%). There were no complications such as infection, hematoma, pain, dysparethesia. The subjective assessment of surgical results by patients was excellent. Conclusion: To make a beautiful buttock, improvement of body contour around the buttock as well as buttock augmentation and lifting is also important. Liposculpture and autologous fat grafting are very safe, useful and easy methods for improving buttock's contour.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.510-526
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• 2024

Background Lipedema is a chronic, incurable disorder characterized by painful fat accumulation in the extremities. While the application of liposuction in lipedema management has become increasingly popular, the safety and effectiveness of this approach remain contentious. Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess various liposuction modalities in lipedema management to verify their safety and efficacy. Methods In-line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metaanalyses guidelines, we performed a comprehensive literature review from inception untilMarch 2023 using the following electronic databases: CENTRAL,MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and EMBASE. Results From the 562 initially identified articles, 20 met our inclusion/exclusion criteria for evaluation. Our review encompassed 14 prospective cohort studies, 3 retrospective studies, 2 case series, and 1 cross-sectional study. Ameta-analysis of nine articles revealed a notable improvement in the quality of life, pain, pressure sensitivity, bruising, cosmetic impairment, heaviness, walking difficulty, and itching among lipedema patients who underwent liposuction. Although complications such as inflammation, thrombosis, seroma, hematoma, and lymphedema-related skin changes were reported, severe complications were rare. Crucially, no instances of shock, recurrence, or mortality were reported.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.289-295
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• 2022

Background Massive weight loss (MWL) is a very common presentation that you may face as a plastic surgeon. Each patient has his own individual criteria, so, you should work according to a well-organized plan, especially when such cases have concerns about their gluteal area contour that were neglected before by many surgeons. A decision-making strategy was used to give a personalized treatment for targeting gluteal region reshaping of MWL patients. Methods This study considered all patients with MWL subjected to buttock reshaping. There was no randomization in treatment; there was a case-by-case assessment. We analyzed the features of the buttocks, the type of surgery performed, the outcomes, and the complications. Results Fifty two patients were included (41 females and 11 males), ages ranged between 21 and 66 years. Demographic data, preoperative body mass index (BMI), duration of surgery, type of surgery, and postoperative complications were collected. Statistically significant improvements were observed in gluteal ptosis and patient satisfaction grades. Conclusion Aesthetic improvement of the buttocks involves either augmentation or contouring that may be obtained by liposculpture, surgical lifting, or combination. Patients with MWL have high expectations and are often treated with multiple procedures. Thus, an easy strategic approach personalized on each patient to treat multiple adjacent areas in one operation is necessary. Adipose tissue distribution, gluteal skin status, and BMI were the main factors that can forcefully affect our plan to guarantee reduction of unpleasant results and complications and improve patient satisfaction.