SUCTION-ASSISTED LIPECTOMY DOES NOT INCREASE THE RISK OF RANDOM FLAP NECROSIS IN A RANDOMIZED STUDY IN PIGS

Thirty-two dorsally based random flaps were raised in eight Yorkshire pigs (26-31 kg) after infiltration with 200 mL of dilute lidocaine (0. 1%) with epinephrine (1:1,000,000) into each flap. Prior to elevation 16 of the flaps were treated with syringe-assisted liposuction, while the remaining flaps served as controls. One week postoperatively the v iability of the flaps was assessed with computer-assisted planimetry o f the necrotic area and by measurement of capillary blood flow using r adioactive microspheres. The mean area of necrosis was nearly identica l in the flaps treated with liposuction and in the control flaps, and there was no statistically significant difference in blood flow betwee n the groups. The results show that liposuction performed with the ''s uper-wet'' or ''tumescent'' technique can be done prior to elevation o f flaps in pigs without increasing the risk of flap necrosis.