Effect of ultrasonic assisted lipectomy (UAL) on breast tissue: Histological findings

As the use of ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) increases, the techniqu e grows more popular in breast surgery, especially in reduction mammaplasty and treatment of gynecomastia. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of UAL on breast tissue using histological examinations, and analyz e the effect of this technique on a cellular level. Biopsies from 10 patients undergoing ultrasonically assisted lipectomy prio r to classic reduction mammaplasty were taken from the treated areas of the breast. Biopsies were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained with hematoxilin-eosin, and analyzed for defective adipocytes , and the effects of UAL on breast tissue. Untreated breast tissue and brea st tissue that had been treated only with conventional aspiration lipectomy served as controls. Sections were analyzed using light microscopy. Compare d to the breast tissue treated only with conventional lipectomy, a stronger destruction of the cellular structure of adipocytes could be detected. The destruction was visible even in areas more distant from the aspiration cha nnel. In contrast, the breast tissue was mostly intact, no signs of ultraso nic-induced cellular destruction were visible. The glandular structure was kept intact. Beside the direct mechanical destruction by the probe and the canula, no further alterations of the cellular integrity of the glandular p arts were visible. In conclusion our results indicates that UAL is also a safe technique for u se in breast surgery. Besides easy handling and improved modelling, the des tructive effect of the ultrasound does not include the glandular breast tis sue.