Ultrasonic Liposuction Surgery

Ultrasonic liposuction (UAL) involves the use of high-pitched sound waves to liquefy body fat before removal by suction. UAL is typically used in areas that are hard to treat, and for patients who need very precise contouring.

Traditional Liposuction

• According to the website Doc Shop, traditional liposuction involves the suctioning of fat out of the body with long thin rods. First, the surgeon injects tumescent fluid, a mixture of saline and anesthetic. The fluid helps to protect the body from excessive fluid loss during the procedure and to numb the area that is to undergo liposuction.

Ultrasonic Liposuction Procedure

• Ultrasonic liposuction also involves an injection of tumescent fluid. However, in this method, the fat is liquefied with ultrasonic sound waves before it is suctioned away, according to the website Smart Liposuction.

History

• UAL was first introduced in Europe. It was initially very popular, but soon the risk of complications became apparent and it fell out of favor. Despite the warnings of many doctors, UAL was introduced to North America. Many surgeons adopted UAL because it was seen as the cutting edge in liposuction surgery, however it was never approved by the Food and Drug Administration, according to the website Liposuction.

Blood Clots

• UAL increases the temperature in fatty tissue and can lead to blood clots in small blood vessels, according to the Plastic Surgery Portal. Blood clots can result in the death of tissue. In rare cases, these blood clots can travel to the lungs, a potentially life-threatening complication of UAL.

Peripheral Nerve Injury and Seromas

• Damage to the sensory nerves at the site of UAL can result in permanent numbness. This can be especially devastating when UAL is performed on the face and neck. UAL can also cause seromas, fluid-filled cavities beneath the skin. Seromas can last for weeks or months after surgery.