SAFETY OF TUMESCENT LIPOSUCTION IN 15,336 PATIENTS - NATIONAL SURVEY RESULTS

BACKGROUND. Tumescent liposuction is a new method of liposuction under local anesthesia that has been developed by dermatologic surgeons. OB JECTIVE. TO determine the safety of tumescent liposuction in a large g roup of patients treated by dermatologic surgeons. METHODS. A survey q uestionnaire was sent to 1,778 Fellows of the American Society for Der matologic Surgery in February 1994. The comprehensive questionnaire re quested information on numbers of patients treated with tumescent lipo suction and complications that Occurred. RESULTS. Sixty-six dermatolog ic surgeons provided data on 15,336 patients. The complications that w ere reported were infrequent and minor. There were no serious complica tions such as death, embolism (pulmonary or fat), hypovolemic shock, p erforation of peritoneum Or thorax, Or thrombophlebitis. Blood transfu sions were not required in any of the 15,336 patients and there were n o admissions to the hospital for treatment of complications. CONCLUSIO NS. Tumescent liposuction is an exceptionally safe method of liposucti on under local anesthesia that eliminates the necessity of general ane sthesia and blood transfusions. Tumescent liposuction is safer than li posuction under general anesthesia and results in fewer complications.