Objectives: Knowledge of perforation of one or several intra-peritoneal organs during a liposuction is essential owing to frequent delay in diagnosis and possible dramatic consequences.
Introduction: Perforation of one or several intra-peritoneal organs during a liposuction is an exceptional but underestimated complication. Cases were evaluated by experts and are presented in a retrospective analysis.
Materials / method: Nineteen cases were evaluated. Sixteen women and 3 men, from 24 to 72 years of age, were operated in France between July 2001 and January 2012. Abdominal liposuction (200-2400) was performed in combination or not with an abdominoplasty.
Results: Uncommon pain and an occlusive syndrome were present in all of the patients. The peritonitis was never frank, replaced frequently by infraclinic peritonitis with septic and/or hypovolemic shock. Diagnosis, performed by abdominal scan between days 1 and 7, revealed intraperitoneal gas or liquid. Perforation, unique or multiple, owing to the intra-peritoneal passage of the cannula, often in the umbilical region and promoted by the presence of a hernia, involved the following organs: ileon (14 cases), jejunum (2), spleen (2), transverse colon, caecum and sigmoid. Death occurred in 3 cases.
Conclusion: Visceral perforation during liposuction, a severe and sometimes fatal complication with late and difficult diagnosis is not often reported. Careful technique, particularly if an umbilical approach is used, should avoid this dramatic complication.
Disclosures
Did you receive any funding to support your research for this TOPIC?
No
Were you provided with any honoraria, payment or other compensation for your work on this study?
No
Do you have any financial relationship with any entity which may closely compete with the medications, materials or instruments covered by your study?
No
Do you own or have you applied for any patents in conjunction with the instruments, medications or materials discussed in your study?
No
This work was not supported by any direct or non direct funding. It is under the author's own responsability