title: The effectiveness and safety of combining laser-assisted liposuction and abdominoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lipoabdominoplasty is nearly a daily aesthetic procedure. Despite the emergence of laser-assisted liposuction, to date, it has not been clearly evaluated combined with abdominoplasty. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of laser-assisted liposuction relative to traditional liposuction combined with high-lateral-tension abdominoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study investigated 36 consecutive female patients who underwent high-lateral-tension abdominoplasty combined with liposuction of the upper central abdomen and both flanks. The patients were divided into three equal groups based on the technique used for liposuction. Group 1 underwent conventional liposuction with abdominoplasty. Group 2 underwent a mixture of conventional and laser-assisted liposuction with abdominoplasty. Group 3 underwent laser-assisted liposuction with abdominoplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients in groups 2 and 3 had a better aesthetic outcome than those in group 1 with regard to abdominal contour and skin tightness. No major complications were observed in groups 1 and 2. The patients in group 3 had a higher incidence of complications (3 seromas, 3 central necroses and dehiscence), and one patient underwent secondary sutures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser-assisted liposuction combined with abdominoplasty in the lateral abdomen seems to be a safe technique with good aesthetic outcomes. Although the combined use of laser-assisted liposuction in the lateral and central abdomen can achieve relatively better aesthetic results, it is associated with significant complications, and its use cannot be supported. Proper laser parameters in the central abdominal area still need further study.
  
  
  METHODS
  This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Ramses Street, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt. dr_yaser72@hotmail.com.
authors: Yasser Abdallah
authors: YA
authors: Aboelatta
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Ramses Street, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt.
authors: Mohammed Mahmoud
authors: MM
authors: Abdelaal
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Ramses Street, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt.
authors: Nada Abdelsatar
authors: NA
authors: Bersy
mesh_terms: D061645:Abdominoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome