LAUSR

BackgroundLiposuction remains one of the most popular aesthetic surgery procedures performed today, and it has undergone continuous refinements over the past four decades. Advancements in anesthesia, improvements in instrumentation, better understanding of fluid dynamics and the addition of energy to liposuction have led to better outcomes with improved safety and efficacy.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to review 1000 consecutive laser-assisted liposuction (LAL) cases utilizing the 1440 nm wavelength. Emphasis was placed on complication rates and the need for revision procedures.MethodsThe charts of 611 patients who underwent 1000 consecutive LAL operations were reviewed. All cases were performed either under general anesthesia or under local with sedation, and the cases were performed alone or in conjunction with other procedures. All patients went to presurgical testing and had preoperative laboratory and additional clearance by a specialist when indicated. Before and after medical photographs were obtained of all patients. All operations were done in an accredited office-based operating room. Demographic information, tumescent volume, aspirate volume, surgical time, complications and other data were reviewed.ResultsThere were one minor complication and no major complications such as burns, hospitalizations or mortalities. One patient developed a small hematoma, which was likely caused by the patient self-aspirating edema fluid during the immediate post-op period. The hematoma resolved with non-surgical management. The average laser energy applied was 15,756 J with an average total aspirate volume of 1256 cc. Fourteen anatomic areas were treated with LAL, and 59 operations were combination cases.ConclusionEnergy-assisted liposuction using the 1440 nm wavelength has been shown in this series to have a very low complication rate when performed alone or in combination with other aesthetic operations under local and general anesthesia.Level of Evidence IVThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.