Observational studyPlastic and reconstructive surgery2026
Observational Study of Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction for Lower Limb Lipedema on 191 Female Patients.
Observational study in Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Muscle Delimitation by Segmental Liposuction: A New Anatomical Approach.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- Optimizing Liposuction in Lipedema Patients: A Novel Approach with Perioperative and Intraoperative Ultrasound.Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLipedema, a chronic condition affecting 11% of women, causes abnormal fat buildup in the lower limbs, leading to disproportionate body shape and functional problems. Often misdiagnosed, its cause is unclear, and conservative treatments are typically tried first. If these fail, surgical options such as lymphatic-sparing liposuction, including ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), may be considered for lower limb lipedema after 6 months of conservative treatment.
methodsThe authors' cohort included 191 patients with lower limb lipedema (stages 1 to 3) who underwent 2 stages of lymphatic-sparing UAL following 6 months of conservative treatment. Outcome measures included changes in pain assessment using visual analog scale scores, pannus thickness, aesthetic satisfaction, and the documentation of complications before and 12 months after the complete surgical treatment.
resultsThe authors' protocol resulted in significant reductions in circumferences across all assessed regions ( P < 0.001), with an average decrease of -6.396 cm (range, -9.268 to -3.523 cm). Pain levels and sensitivity to touch, bruising, and other discomforts significantly decreased after liposuction (all P < 0.0001). Complication rates were within expected ranges, with no instances of postoperative phlebitis. All patients reported high levels of posttreatment satisfaction.
conclusionsThe integration of a comprehensive medical protocol for managing lipedema, combined with the use of next-generation lymphatic-sparing UAL in 2-stage procedures for the lower limbs, shows promising potential. These findings highlight the effectiveness and safety of liposuction in treating lipedema, providing valuable insights for clinical practice. Long-term follow-up studies are necessary to confirm sustained efficacy.
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