CZ
EN
The distribution of subcutaneous fat tissue on the body is considered a secondary sex characteristic and is determined primarily by genetic and hormonal factors. Clearly visible, well-defined subcutaneous lipomatosis is particularly distressing for women and is currently regarded as an aesthetic concern.
In women, liposuction is most commonly performed in the outer buttock area, inner thighs (thigh liposuction), abdomen (abdominal liposuction), hips (hip liposuction), and knees. Less common areas include the cheeks, chin, parts of the back, the back of the upper arms, and the calves. In men, this method is typically used to contour the abdomen, hips, lumbar area, and the front of the chest. A prerequisite for a good liposuction result is sufficiently elastic skin over the treated fat deposit, as the natural tension of the skin must compensate for the volume reduction after the procedure.
TYPES OF LIPOSUCTION
Currently, there are three types of liposuction in use: conventional, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, and vibration-assisted liposuction.
The principle of conventional liposuction, which has been used for more than 25 years, involves inserting a cannula (a tube with a special tip) into the subcutaneous tissue through a small skin incision up to 1 cm in length. By manipulating the cannula within the subcutaneous tissue, the fat tissue is broken up and disrupted, then suctioned out using a powerful vacuum pump with adjustable negative pressure outside the body. This method is still used by many surgical centers.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is a type of liposuction in which subcutaneous fat is destroyed by high-energy ultrasonic waves. This causes the fat to “melt” and be suctioned out as a semi-liquid substance. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction has been performed abroad for approximately 10 years, and in the Czech Republic it has been used at some clinics since 1998.
Vibration-assisted liposuction, also known as microvibration-assisted liposuction, is currently considered the most advanced and exceptionally safe technique for removing subcutaneous fat deposits. It was developed in the USA. This most gentle method is also used at our clinic. Since 1999, we have performed more than 3,000 procedures of this type in various anatomical areas, mostly under general anesthesia; in some cases, local anesthesia has also been used.
HOW VIBRATION-ASSISTED LIPOSUCTION IS PERFORMED
The treated areas must first be infused with a larger volume of a special solution (so-called tumescent solution), which facilitates the liposuction procedure itself. The carrier medium is saline, to which bicarbonate, adrenaline, and a local anesthetic are added in appropriate proportions. The subcutaneous fat cells are then very gently and carefully broken down—emulsified—by microvibrations of the cannula (4,000 vibrations per minute) and subsequently suctioned out.
Compared to the conventional technique, this method offers a number of advantages:
- Because very thin suction cannulas are used, the resulting skin incisions are closed with only a single fine suture and do not exceed 5 mm in length.
- The duration of surgery is reduced by more than one third. The emulsification process is very gentle.
- Damage to other subcutaneous structures is minimized; therefore, postoperative swelling and bruising are reduced. This contributes to less postoperative pain and faster healing.
- The risk of postoperative complications is significantly reduced.
Vibration-assisted liposuction is also used as an adjunct to certain primary surgical procedures. Patient selection for liposuction is influenced by age and body weight, as the myth that liposuction is a method for weight loss is entirely false—liposuction is intended for body contouring.
