Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using ultrasonic assisted liposuction (UAL) to achieve sufficient breast symmetry allowing for the use of same sized implants in patients presenting for elective breast augmentation surgery.
Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients presenting for augmentation mammoplasty with breast asymmetry who underwent ultrasonic assisted liposuction in combination with implant augmentation. Pre-operative differences in breast volumes were determined using water displacement, and these measurements were compared to final lipoaspirates required to achieve symmetry. To estimate the volume of lipoaspirate required, we suggested to aim for twice the volume difference obtained by water displacement. The success of the procedure was measured by the ability to use the same size implants bilaterally.
Results: A total of 35 patients were included in this review. In 85% of patients, UAL was sufficient to permit the use of equally sized implants bilaterally. However, when different sized implants were required, the size difference between implants was not greater than 25 cc. The UAL was also effective in correcting minor ptosis and nipple position. The main observed disadvantage was prolonged bruising and swelling.
Conclusion: The use of UAL for correction of primary breast asymmetry with bilateral breast augmentation allows balancing of breast tissue volumes and the use of same size implants and eliminates the need for balancing mastopexy procedures.
Level of evidence iv: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Keywords: Asymmetry; Breast augmentation; Liposuction; Mastopexy.
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