A Systematic Review of Efficacy and Complications of High-Definition Liposuction

Abstract

Background: Traditionally, liposuction is performed on the deeper layer of fat. However, in 1983, Illouz described a liposuction technique targeting the superficial layer of fat. High-definition liposuction (HDL) is an advanced technique of liposuction that generates a desirable profile of anatomical area while promoting skin retraction. Although the safety profile of basic or traditional liposuction has been extensively studied, data relevant to HDL are limited. A systematic review to determine the effectiveness and complications was conducted.

Methods: Across the 21 articles included in the synthesis, a total of 6964 patients underwent HDL procedures. Of the cases where gender was reported, 44% were female patients ( n = 1241) and 56% were male patients ( n = 1556). The average age of patients was 38 years (range, 15 to 76 years) and body mass index was 25 kg/m 2 (range, 18 to 38 kg/m 2 ).

Results: An overall complication rate of 14.4% ( n = 994) was calculated, with only 0.2% ( n = 13) of complications classified as major. Transient hyperpigmentation was the most frequently reported complication, affecting 260 patients (3.8%), followed by seroma in 231 (3.3%) and transient soft-tissue fibrosis in 185 (2.7%). Despite an absence of uniform reporting, satisfaction rates of 92.6% ( n = 1497) were reported.

Conclusions: There is a high demand for HDL surgery globally, and this systematic review illustrates the safety and efficacy of HDL. Major complication rates across the entirety of the literature reviewed were 0.2%, with minor complications seen in 14.2% across the 6964 cases reported. High patient satisfaction of 92.6% from HDL procedures was achieved, indicating the efficacy of this procedure.