Tumescent liposuction: a new and successful therapy for lipedema.
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.
Schmeller
Wilfried
W
Hanse-Clinic, Clinic for Liposuction, Esthetic Dermatology and Surgery, Luebeck, Germany. ws@hanseklinik.com
Meier-Vollrath
Ilka
I
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