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Ultrasonic LiposuctionPosted Wednesday, September 5, 2007 to PROCEDURES > Body Posted by The Original Anti-Aging & Cosmetic Surgery Magazine Plastic surgeon Charles Spenler MD explains to Jodi Thiessen the benefits of using ultrasound waves during liposuction. Liposuction was introduced nearly 20 years ago. First developed in Europe, it quickly made its way into the United States and today is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure. Since its introduction major advances have been made that have refined the technique to the point it is safer and outcomes are more predictable.These advances include the use of tumescent fluid containing local anaesthetic and, more recently, the introduction of ultrasonic liposuction. Tumescent fluid, containing a local anesthetic and blood constrictor, allows liposuction to be done as an out patient procedure and greater volumes can be removed - with less blood loss. In recent years,the use of ultrasoundwaves to liquefy or dissolvefat has been another great change. This ultrasonic liposuction was introduced in Europe ten years ago and has been used in the USA for two years. Dr Spenler embraced this new technology on its arrival and considers it one of the greatest advancements yet. "For me the major advances in liposuction were its invention, then the tumescent technique and now ultrasonic liposuction. I used tumescent when it first was introduced and never went back. Then I used ultrasonic and seldom think of using the traditional method. It's a definite advancement as far as quality of the outcome," he said. Ultrasonic liposuction uses a special cannula and crystals in the handpiece. Together they create the ultrasonic energy such that when the cannula is applied to the fat, it causes the fat cell to implode. Different sized cannulae have made it possible for liposuction to be used anywhere in the body. "When I started doing liposuction I used large cannulae and small amounts of anesthetic and would extract 1,500cc of aspira (fat) that looked like blood and I thought that was good," said Dr Spenler. "10 years ago I started using tumescent and was able to remove 2,500cc of fat and thought this technology had taken the procedure as far as it could be taken. Now I use ultrasonic liposuction and can take as much as 5,000cc with little blood loss. "I like to think of ultrasonic as a sharper knife. The cannula doesn't need to be pushed and I can make it go in certain ways," explained Dr Spenler. "This causes less trauma and allows better sculpting, less blood loss and more fat removal." It appears ultrasonic liposuction also allows greater tightening of the skin. It is not without risks however. If used inappropriately it can cause burns on the skin. "The cannula, if pushed against the skin for 45 seconds, would burn. It must be kept moving," warned Dr Spenler. Some patients also report a burning sensation or numbness post-operatively that may last for 10-12 weeks. These reportedly go away over time. There are concerns as to the affects of ultrasound waves on nerves and other complex physical structures. "None of these appear to be true, or proven. They are theoretical and we keep records of them," said Dr Spenler. It is important to select a surgeon with specific training in ultrasonic liposuction, proper methods of using large volumes of tumescent fluids and removal of large volumes of fat. These procedures should also be done on patients who are deemed healthy. Because more fat is removed, there are more risks involved. The Committe on Liposuction suggests that it is only safe to remove 5,000cc on an outpatient basis. Should any more be removed the patient would need to be monitored carefully in hospital. 0 Comments | Share | Save to Favorites Report Abuse| Rate It: Add Comment |