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Liposuction

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Evidence-Based Procedural Dermatology

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Abstract

Liposuction is the surgical removal of subcutaneous adipose tissue using aspiration cannulas introduced through small skin incisions. Tumescent liposuction refers to the technique of infiltrating the subcutaneous compartment with dilute concentrations of lidocaine and epinephrine as described by Klein [1]. By definition tumescent liposuction excludes the use of additional anesthetics that have a risk of suppressing the respiratory system. It is done completely under local anesthesia. Prior to development of the tumescent technique, excess adipose had been removed by a combination of en bloc resection with skin excision or curettage through small incisions. Today, liposuction may be performed in the outpatient setting under local tumescent anesthesia, which allows for the removal of large volumes of fat with minimal blood loss, low postoperative morbidity, and excellent cosmesis. It has been used to successfully treat undesired adipose tissue from nearly all body sites (Table 21.1), and it is also an effective treatment for noncosmetic adipose collections including lipomas, gynecomastia, and hyperhidrosis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Dermatologic Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, 10000 Sagemore Drive, Suite 10103, Marlton, NJ, 08053, USA

    Shari A. Nemeth & Naomi Lawrence

  2. Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA

    Shari A. Nemeth

Authors
  1. Shari A. Nemeth
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  2. Naomi Lawrence
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Correspondence to Shari A. Nemeth .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Aesthetic Surgery, Professor, Departments of Dermatology,, Chief, Section of Cutaneous and, Feinberg School of Med, Northwestern Univ, Chicago, 60611, Illinois, USA

    Murad Alam

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Nemeth, S.A., Lawrence, N. (2012). Liposuction. In: Alam, M. (eds) Evidence-Based Procedural Dermatology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09424-3_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09424-3_21

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