High-Definition Liposculpture: What are the Complications and How to Manage Them?

[BACKGROUND] High-definition liposculpture is a novel surgical technique widely accepted among plastic surgeons. The aim of this article is to describe surgical outcomes with a special emphasis on complications in high-definition liposculpture patients.

[METHODS] An historical cohort of patients who underwent high-definition liposculpture from two senior surgeons was reviewed. Technique, patient selection criteria, preoperative marks and surgical outcomes are described. Postoperative complications are discussed.

[RESULTS] A total of 417 patients underwent high-definition liposculpture between 2015 and 2018. Primary liposuction and secondary liposuction were performed in 308 (74%) and 109 (26%), respectively. Combined surgeries were performed in 121 cases (29%). There were no systemic complications. Local complications included hyperpigmentation (n = 276), seroma (n = 125), nodular fibrosis (n = 83), unsatisfactory definition in superficial liposuction areas (n = 16), unnatural appearance of body contour (n = 17), VASER-related burns (n = 3) and Mondor's syndrome (n = 2). Most patients (94%) were satisfied with the results.

[CONCLUSION] High-definition liposculpture is a body contouring technique that has shown excellent results. Despite non-serious complications were frequent, most complications were local and safely treated without affecting surgical outcome. To know these complications will help to recognize them earlier and to adjust patient expectation about the postoperative period.

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