• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2003

Liposuction is a useful method for debulking free flap. Recently, ultrasound assisted liposuction(UAL) has been reported to have many advantages over conventional suction-assisted lipectomy. We applied the UAL to debulk free fasciocutaneous flap of the forehead and lower extremities. The result was satisfactory and there was no significant complications worth noting. Although the cost can be expensive, it has many advantages such as less blood loss, larger amount of fat aspirate and better skin contraction. We can conclude that UAL can be a useful alternative method to debulk free fasciocutaneous flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.742-748
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• 2010

Purpose: The method of using ultrasound-assisted liposuction and excision of the remaining glandular tissue is the preferred method for treating gynecomastia and is currently used worldwide. Herein, this article described the role of ultrasound-assisted liposuction before a surgical excision in the treatment of gynecomastia. The cosmetic results were objectively evaluated. Methods: 11 patients (22 breasts) underwent ultrasoundassisted liposuction and suction-assisted lipectomy between April 2007 and January 2009. At the end of the liposuction, the remaining glandular tissue was removed through the incision used for liposuction. We evaluated the cosmetic results using ordinary scale methods on the basis of four categories (recurrence, symmetry, contour irregularity, and scar). Results: The volume of aspirates ranged between 50 and 200 cc per breast and the average weight of tissue removed by excision was 65g per breast. No complications were recorded. Regarding the cosmetic evaluation, the recurrence, contour irregularity, and scar were excellent, the symmetry was good, and the overall results represented all those cases were mostly excellent. Conclusion: Ultrasound-assisted liposuction has many advantages in the treatment of gynecomastia. When excising the remaining glandular tissue, bleeding is decreased by the use of a tumescent technique. The glandular tissue is easily mobilized and excised after being "morselized" with ultrasound-assisted liposuction. The glandular tissue is simply dissected via the suction surface. Compared the residual mound of glandular tissue beneath the nipple and areola to the periphery, it facilitates precise control of the excision.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.773-778
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• 2009

Purpose: The authors propose the new classification of fatty - type gynecomastia(lipomastia) which can serve as a guide for modifying the periareolar technique. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of 1000 cases of lipomastia operated on in the last 17 months. The extent of the clinical result, the technique employed, and the complications were observed. On the basis of this review the authors observed that at grade I(fat component < 50 ml, fibroglandular component < 3 g each breast), flattening of the thorax can be achieved by means of stab incision, ultrasound - assisted lipectomy(UAL), scavenging suction - assisted lipectomy(SAL) and tissue shaving. At grade II(50 < < 150 ml, 3 < < 5 g), stab incision, UAL, SAL and pull - out method(POM) using small curved scissors. At grade III(150 < < 300 ml, 5 < < 15 g and prominent inframammary fold(IMF)), minimal incision (5 - 6 mm), UAL, SAL and POM using small angulated scissors, and blunting IMF. At grade IV (300 < < 500 ml, 15 < < 30 g, and glandular ptosis), minimal incision (5 - 6 mm), UAL, SAL, fibroglandular excision using small angulated scissors, cutting IMF and fixation of nipple - areola complex(NAC) becomes necessary. At grade V (> 500 ml, > 30 g and ptosis), small incision (7 - 8 mm), UAL, SAL, fibroglandular excision using large angulated scissors, cutting IMF, upper repositioning of NAC and delayed circumareolar skin reduction or chest lifting becomes necessary. Results: The complications were minimal but there were hematoma (n = 7), infection (n = 3) and hypertrophic scar (n =13). Almost patients were satisfied with the outcome. Conclusion: This simple classification may help in choosing the most suitable treatment, thus avoiding insufficient or invasive treatments and undesirable scars.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2009

Purpose: The use of an autogenous fat graft has become a common procedure in plastic surgery. However, questions remain concerning on the viability of fat cells and preservation method of aspirated fat. The purpose of this study was to examine the viability of fat cells stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ in the freeze for 1 year after harvest from abdominal liposuction. Methods: Eighteen adults (aged 24 to 65 years old, 16 female and 2 male) were recruited for this study. Harvested aspirated fat tissues were obtained by suction - assisted lipectomy and frozen at $-20^{\circ}C$ commercial refrigerator for one year (average 12.5 months). The viability off at cells in specimens were measured after thawing. The numbers of viable cells were measured on a fluorescence microscope after staining with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. GPDH (Glycerol - 3 - phosphate dehydrogenase) activity was measured. Cell culture was done for 3 weeks. Results: There were no viable cells under the fluorescence microscope, no detectable GPDH activity, and no cultured cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that aspirated fat after frozen storage for one year at $-20^{\circ}C$ freezer is inadequate to reuse.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.324-331
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• 2022

Prior abdominal liposuction can be viewed as a relative or absolute contraindication to abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction given concerns for damaged perforators and scarring complicating intraoperative dissection. This systematic review aims to explore the outcomes of abdominally based breast reconstruction in patients with a history of abdominal liposuction. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-guided literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from the earliest available date through June 2020. Deep inferior epigastric perforator, muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM), superficial inferior epigastric artery, and pedicled TRAM flaps were included for evaluation. Complications included total or partial flap loss, fat necrosis, seroma, delayed wound healing, and donor site complications. After inclusion criteria were applied, 336 non-duplicate articles were screened, yielding 11 for final review, representing 55 flaps in 43 patients. There was no instance of total flap loss, eight (14.5%) flaps developed partial loss or fat necrosis, three (5.4%) flaps had delayed wound healing, and two (4.6%) patients had donor site complications. Most authors (8/11) utilized some type of preoperative imaging. Doppler ultrasonography was the most used modality, and these patients had the lowest rate of partial flap loss or flap fat necrosis (8%), followed by those without any preoperative imaging (10%). In conclusion, this review supports that patients undergoing abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction with a history of abdominal liposuction are not at an increased risk of flap or donor site complications. Although preoperative imaging was common, it did not reliably decrease complications. Further prospective studies are needed to address the role of imaging in improving outcomes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2022

Complications experienced during lymphatic surgery have not been ubiquitously reported, and little has been described regarding how to prevent them. We present a review of complications reported during the surgical management of lymphedema and our experience with technical considerations to reduce morbidity from lymphatic surgery. A comprehensive search across different databases was conducted through November 2020. Based on the complications identified, we discussed the best approach for reducing the incidence of complications during lymphatic surgery based on our experience. The most common complications reported following lymphovenous anastomosis were re-exploration of the anastomosis, venous reflux, and surgical site infection. The most common complications using groin vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), submental VLNT, lateral thoracic VLNT, and supraclavicular VLNT included delayed wound healing, seroma and hematoma formation, lymphatic fluid leakage, iatrogenic lymphedema, soft-tissue infection, venous congestion, marginal nerve pseudoparalysis, and partial flap loss. Regarding intra-abdominal lymph node flaps, incisional hernia, hematoma, lymphatic fluid leakage, and postoperative ileus were commonly reported. Following suction-assisted lipectomy, significant blood loss and transient paresthesia were frequently reported. The reported complications of excisional procedures included soft-tissue infections, seroma and hematoma formation, skin-graft loss, significant blood loss, and minor skin flap necrosis. Evidently, lymphedema continues to represent a challenging condition; however, thorough patient selection, compliance with physiotherapy, and an experienced surgeon with adequate understanding of the lymphatic system can help maximize the safety of lymphatic surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.212-233
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• 2024

This is a retrospective review of surgical management for primary lymphedema. Data were extracted from 55 articles from PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials between the database inception and December 2022 to evaluate the outcomes of lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), and outcomes of soft tissue extirpative procedures such as suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) and extensive soft tissue excision. Data from 485 patients were compiled; these were treated with LVA (n = 177), VLNT (n = 82), SAL (n = 102), and excisional procedures (n = 124). Improvement of the lower extremity lymphedema index, the quality of life (QoL), and lymphedema symptoms were reported in most studies. LVA and VLNT led to symptomatic relief and improved QoL, reaching up to 90 and 61% average circumference reduction, respectively. Cellulitis reduction was reported in 25 and 40% of LVA and VLNT papers, respectively. The extirpative procedures, used mainly in patients with advanced disease, also led to clinical improvement from the volume reduction, as well as reduced incidence of cellulitis, although with poor cosmetic results; 87.5% of these reports recommended postoperative compression garments. The overall complication rates were 1% for LVA, 13% for VLNT, 11% for SAL, and 46% for extirpative procedures. Altogether, only one paper lacked some kind of improvement. Primary lymphedema is amenable to surgical treatment; the currently performed procedures have effectively improved symptoms and QoL in this population. Complication rates are related to the invasiveness of the chosen procedure.