title: Long-term benefit of liposuction in patients with lipoedema: a follow-up study after an average of 4 and 8 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-term results following liposuction in patients with lipoedema are available only for an average period of 4 years.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find out whether the improvement of complaints persists for a further 4 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a single-centre study, 85 patients with lipoedema had already been examined after 4 years. A mail questionnaire - often in combination with clinical controls - was repeated after another 4 years (8 years after liposuction).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the results after 4 years, the improvement in spontaneous pain, sensitivity to pressure, oedema, bruising and restriction of movement persisted. The same held true for patient self-assessment of cosmetic appearance, quality of life and overall impairment. Eight years after surgery, the reduction in the amount of conservative treatment (combined decongestive therapy, compression garments) was similar to that observed 4 years earlier.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate for the first time the long-lasting positive effects of liposuction in patients with lipoedema.
authors.affiliation: Hanse-Klinik, St-Juergen-Ring 66, D-23564, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hueppe
authors.affiliation: Hanse-Klinik, St-Juergen-Ring 66, D-23564, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schmeller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003288:Contusions / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D065134:Lipedema / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011312:Pressure; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult