Advanced techniques in liposuction.

Liposuction is a procedure that has been widely used since the 1980s. The introduction of the tumescent technique in 1987 greatly improved the safety of the procedure. Innovative techniques and equip ment modifications have continued to evolve, broadening the scope of application and improving the results that can be obtained. This article discusses several recent advancements in liposuction techniques. Three-Dimensional Tumescent Liposculpture (William R. Cook, Coronado, CA) was developed to view contiguous areas of the body as a unit rather than to simply suction fat from one particular area. Advanced techniques have improved the ability to liposuction difficult areas, such as the arms, calves, medial thighs, and the male breast. A combination of syringe-suction and machine-assisted liposculpture is sometimes used. Tumescent liposculpture has been combined with pulsed CO2 laser surgery to produce a more effective and less invasive treatment for the aging face, neck, and jowls. External ultrasound-assisted liposculpture can produce excellent results.