A survey conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery examined plastic surgeons’ liposuction preferences, given the variety of techniques that can be used for the procedure. It found that over half of the 492 plastic surgeons who responded prefer suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL), which is considered traditional liposuction.
In a field that is so rapidly advancing, it is essential to continually evaluate new technologies and methods to ensure that we maintain the safety of our patients?” said Jamil Ahmad, MD, lead author of the survey, which was published in the February issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Results showed that the preferred method of fat removal from most to least popular was:
- Suction-assisted lipo (SAL) (51.4 percent)
- Power-assisted lipo (PAL) (23.0 percent)
- Ultrasound-assisted lipo (UAL) (20.9 percent)
- Laser-assisted lipo (LAL) (3.9 percent)
Most of the surgeons who responded perform between 51 and 100 liposuctions per year; those surveyed have the most experience with SAL, UAL and PAL.
The surgeons had less experience with laser-assisted liposuction (12.8 percent), mesotherapy (5.7 percent), and noninvasive devices (12.8 percent). They also felt these newer fat removal technologies were associated with a disproportionately higher rate of complications compared to  more established methods.
Our survey found that ASAPS members tend to more frequently employ the fat removal methods that have the longest track records and the most data to support their efficacy and safety, said Ahmad. In the future, we may notice preferences shift as we see additional prospective data comparing techniques, and as we gain more experience with newer methods. These factors will also help us continue to improve safety-related standards of care.
Learn more about liposuction.
Dr. Jonov is a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in plastic surgeries of the face, breast, and body at Seattle Plastic Surgery.
