Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) is a new and important technology for body sculpting. It is an excellent method for permanently
removing unwanted fatty bulges and creating more attractive body contours. Because liposuction is the most commonly performed
plastic surgery procedure, this has important implications for our patients.
Power-assisted liposuction refers to a new technology whereby the tip of the suction tube vibrates at a rapid speed. This
vibration loosens the fat cells so that they may be suctioned away gently with less trauma to the surrounding tissues. PAL
is performed using tumescent technique. This involves infusing large volumes of saline, local anesthesia and adrenaline. This
maximizes the effectiveness of the fat removal and patient comfort, and it helps to minimize bruising. Power-assisted liposuction
has several important advantages over the older techniques of ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) and suction-assisted liposuction
(SAL). These benefits include increased safety, decreased anesthesia time, less bruising, faster recovery, increased efficacy
and greater precision. Research has shown that power-assisted liposuction is an effective and safer way to eliminate unwanted
deposits of fat.
Advantages of Power-Assisted Liposuction
- Improved Safety
- Shorter Procedure
- Less Bruising and Swelling
- Faster Recovery
- Less Discomfort
- Smaller Incisions
- Greater Precision
Improved safety is an important advantage of the power-assisted system. In a research study
evaluating the results of over four hundred consecutive power-assisted liposuction patients, it was found that the
incidence of complications was less than half the rate in a similar group who underwent ultrasound-assisted liposuction. Because
PAL is more efficient, the length of time for each procedure has been reduced. Shorter operations are safer. Because the low
energy, vibrating tip does not harm surrounding tissue, patients have less bruising and swelling. This results in a faster
recovery from surgery. The suction device glides through fat more easily and allows for a level of precision in body sculpting
that was not previously possible.
Power-assisted liposuction for the permanent removal of fat is a major advance for aesthetic surgery. The significant improvements
in safety, efficacy and precision are making lipoplasty even more attractive for patients considering body sculpting procedures.
