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Liposuction significantly increases quality of life in lipedema patients
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — After treatment with liposuction, patients with lipedema showed a significant reduction of subcutaneous fatty tissue, which improved body proportions and overall shape, according to a study presented at the 23rd Annual World Congress of Dermatology.
A total of 164 patients who underwent conservative lipedema therapy over several years were treated with liposuction in tumescent local anesthesia with vibrating microcannulas.
In a monocentric study, 85 patients were re-evaluated via questionnaire in 2010, a mean of 3 years and 8 months following surgery, and in 2014, after a mean of 7 years and 8 months.
Researchers observed a significant reduction of subcutaneous fatty tissue.
In 2010, patients reported that their spontaneous pain either significantly improved or completely disappeared, as did sensitivity to pressure, edema, bruising, restriction of movement and cosmetic impairment.
These improvements led to an enormous increase in quality of life, and most patients were able to reduce decongestive therapy.
The survey results from 2014 showed that improvements continued over time.
The mean overall impairment reduced significantly from “severe” before the procedure to “mild” at follow-ups.
Conservative therapy was completed stopped in 30% of patients.
Following surgery, the researchers observed no serious complications.
Reference:
Frambach, Y et al. Long-term results of liposuction in patients with lipedema. Presented at: 23rd World Congress of Dermatology; June 8-13, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia.