Progress report on multicenter study of laser-assisted liposuction.

Fifty-one patients underwent an FDA-approved study of laser-assisted liposuction in five plastic surgery centers. The YAG laser fiber is contained within the cannula and shears off the fat cleanly and coagulates blood vessels as the fat is drawn into the cannula. The drop in hemoglobin was relatively modest after surgery. Patients were able to return to work at six days and to light exercise at seven days. Contralateral studies showed a slight benefit for the laser side at both one and eight weeks for ecchymosis, pain/discomfort, and edema. Lipocrit studies were inconsistent.