LIPOSUCTION-ASSISTED REVISION AND RECONTOURING OF FREE MICROVASCULAR TISSUE TRANSFERS

Liposuction has become a widely accepted and utilized technique that a llows the aesthetic surgeon to improve regional definition and contour . Although the techniques of liposuction have now been extended to a v ariety of noncosmetic procedures as well, the application of this tech nique in the area of reconstructive surgery has lagged. To ascertain t he applicability and effectiveness of liposuction for the revision of free microvascular tissue transfers we undertook a retrospective analy sis of our free flap reconstruction cases that were revised and recont oured using liposuction. From this review of 12 cases we found liposuc tion to be a safe and effective technique for the delayed revision of free flap reconstructions of the head and neck region and lower extrem ity.