Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Ultrasonic Liposuction And Conventional Liposuction In Thinning Of Upper Arm

It is claimed that the use of ultrasound-assisted liposuction in bodyshaping surgery produces less blood loss and more skin contraction than conventional liposuction. In the literature, however, we could not find any studies comparing the efficacy of conventional liposuction with ultrasonic liposuction in the treatment of arm contour deformities. In this study, therefore, it is aimed to compare the efficacy, complications and bleeding rates of conventional liposuction with ultrasonic liposuction in the treatment of arm contour deformities. Twenty patients with the complaints of arm contour deformity during the period of 2012-2016 were included in the study. All of the patients were treated with liposuction. The patients were divided into two groups; ultrasonic liposuction (Group 1; n: 10) and conventional liposuction (Group 2; n: 10). Necrosis was defined as a major complication. Seroma, hematoma, asymmetry and roughness in the skin were defined as minor complications. The location of the thickest part of both arms of patients in both groups were measured at the end of the surgery and at the end of the first postoperative year. A total of 5 ml lipoaspirate samples were taken from each patient intraoperatively. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the numbers of erythrocytes per unit area were determined. According to Triceps Skin Classification, 4 of the patients were Type 2, 3 were Type 3 and 3 were Type 4, in Group 1. In Group 2, 3 of the patients were Type 2, 3 were Type 3 and 4 were Type 4. The average arm circumference of the patients in Group 1 was 36 cm (minimum 32 cm - maximum 40 cm), while in Group 2 the average arm circumference was 35 cm (minimum 31 cm - maximum 39 cm). At the end of the operation, the average arm circumference of the patients in Group 1 was 31 cm (minimum 28 cm - maximum 32 cm) while in Group 2 the average arm circumference of the patients was 32 cm (minimum 28 cm - maximum 33 cm). At the end of the first postoperative year, the average arm circumference was decreased to 30 cm in Group 1 and 31.8 cm in Group 2. Moreover, the number of erythrocytes calculated in cm2 in Group 2 was 50-60 / 1HPF (HPF: high power field) at 40x magnification and this value was calculated as 20 / 1HPF in Group 1. The mean arm thickness before the surgery was similar in both groups. However, the mean postoperative arm thickness of the patients in Group 1 was significantly lower than Group 2 (p <0.05). Moreover, the number of erythrocytes seen in the lipoaspirate unit area was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p<0.05). In this study, we have demonstrated that ultrasonic liposuction could provide more skin contraction in the treatment of arm contour deformities with appropriate patient selection. In this indication, a better appearance can be obtained with less sagging compared with conventional liposuction.