Background:

Lipoplasty (liposuction) has proven to be a very popular surgical cosmetic procedure; see current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics. Power-Assisted Lipoplasty (PAL) is a relatively new technique, approved for general use by the FDA in December 1998, and is not yet widely used. Most lipoplasty procedures are performed using traditional suction-assisted lipoplasty (SAL) and certain procedures can benefit from ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL).

Technique:

In PAL, a reciprocating cannula, or hollow tube (powered by gas or electricity) powers through tissue and vacuums out fat and fibrous or scarred tissue reportedly with minimal effort. The back and forth motion of the tip of the cannula facilitates passage through tissue.

Benefits:

• Procedure may be gentler for the patient, possibly causing less bruising, swelling and discomfort.


• May provide a more rapid recovery, with quicker return to work and activities.


• Patients may spend less time in the operating room and under anesthesia than with other lipoplasty techniques.

Other Considerations:

• Higher cost of equipment may translate to higher costs for patients.


• Not yet widely used; therefore, data on effectiveness is incomplete.

ASAPS Position:

Lipoplasty is a safe, efficient, time-proven procedure that enjoys immense popularity with patients. Equivalent results are achieved from using any of the current techniques. PAL appears promising as a technique offering many potential benefits. It is the position of ASAPS, however, that the lipoplasty patient’s most important consideration should be surgeon selection, not the specific technique being used. Prospective patients should choose a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and, if the procedure is done in an office-based surgical facility, should be sure the doctor has hospital privileges to perform the same procedure in an acute care hospital. In addition, the office-based facility should be accredited by a national or state-recognized agency such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), or should be state licensed or Medicare certified.