EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20, 1997
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STUDY SHOWS INCREASE IN EFFECTIVENESS OF LIPOPLASTY
SAN FRANCISCO (September 20, 1997) ñ Through the utilization of ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), plastic surgery procedures for body contouring are being refined and augmented, according to two studies to be presented at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPRS), September 20-24 in San Francisco, Calf.
The evolving role of UAL in body contouring and its relation to traditional suction-assisted lipoplasty (SAL) was examined in one study of 41 patients ranging in age from 20 to 68 years and including 34 female and 7 male patients. The retrospective study covered a variety of trunk body contouring procedures performed on the patients.
"As new technologies become available, we should not forget the more familiar ones," said Rod J. Rohrich, M.D., professor and chairman, department of plastic surgery, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center and first author of the study. "The marriage of UAL with SAL extends the role of liposuction and allows us to achieve better body contouring in patients with situations that were previously difficult, such as the male breast, back and flank areas, areas with large volumes of fat to be removed and patients that have previously had liposuction."
The UAL is used to emulsify the fat and the traditional SAL is employed to remove the fluid from the area and to complete the final contouring. Because the SAL has a larger internal diameter that is approximately twice as large as that of the UAL cannula, more fluid can be removed in a shorter time. Using the UAL together with the SAL was found to be especially effective in treatment of males, in areas with large amounts of fibrous tissues or for large volume fat removal.
Another study of twenty patients showed the benefit of using UAL for removing contour irregularities or tightening skin in patients who previously had conventional lipoplasty. While lipoplasty technology has made dramatic advancements, some patients who had procedures a number of years ago still have irregularities or less than satisfying results. In this study, ultrasonic-assisted lipoplasty was applied in the deeper planes to remove residual bulk and remodel the contours. It was also applied just under the surface to smooth and tighten the skin. Where deeper or irregular depressions were a problem, fat injection was used to correct the contour.
"As the methodology continues to improve, we are better able to improve these irregularities from earlier procedures," said James C. Grotting, M.D., clinical professor of plastic surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham and first author of the study.
People who are interested in lipoplasty are encouraged to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon who has specialized training in the most advanced technology.
The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons represents 97 percent of all physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). By choosing an ASPRS member plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS, patients can be assured that the physician has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency, usually three years in general surgery and two years of plastic surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a physician must also practice plastic surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral examinations. Consumers may call Plastic Surgery Information Service at 1-800-635-0635 or access the ASPRS website at www.plasticsurgery.org for informational brochures and names of qualified plastic surgeons in their areas.
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