title: Tumescent liposuction: a new and successful therapy for lipedema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lipedema is a rare and painful disease in women. Until recently, it could be treated only by conservative methods (combined physical therapy).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy and safety of surgery (liposuction) concerning appearance and associated complaints.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight patients, who had undergone conservative therapy over a period of years, were treated by liposuction under tumescent local anesthesia with vibrating microcannulas. Twenty-one could be reevaluated after an average of 12.2 (1-26) months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All showed great improvement, with normalization of body proportions. Additionally, spontaneous pain, sensitivity to pressure, and bruising either disappeared completely or improved markedly. Other than minor swelling for a few days, no complications could be observed following surgery. All patients reported a tremendous increase in their quality of life. Physical therapy had to be continued to a much lower degree.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tumescent liposuction has proved to be a safe and effective treatment for lipedema.
authors.affiliation: Hanse-Clinic, Clinic for Liposuction, Esthetic Dermatology and Surgery, Luebeck, Germany. ws@hanseklinik.com
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schmeller
authors.forename: Ilka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Meier-Vollrath
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D004487:Edema / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome