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.