Resumen

Objectives: To systematically compare the clinical results of energy-based liposuction (laser, RF, ultrasound) versus traditional suction-assisted liposuction (SAL). Introduction: While liposuction remains a reference technique in body contouring, energy-based devices—especially lasers—have emerged to enhance outcomes, particularly in terms of skin tightening and recovery. Materials / method: Literature was reviewed across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. The search equation retrieve 911 articles from which 28 were included in the final analysis after independent screening from 2 authors. Outcome variables included fat removal efficiency, skin retraction, complication rate, downtime, and patient satisfaction. Results: Outcomes for skin contraction, recovery time, and complications were extracted across laser-assisted, suction-assisted, radiofrequency, and ultrasound-assisted liposuction. Between-study differences in protocols, outcome definitions, and follow-up limited comparability. Data heterogeneity remains a key limitation. Conclusion: The current evidence base does not support definitive comparative statements across modalities. Harmonized endpoints and standardized outcome reporting are needed to enable robust synthesis and to inform practice guidelines.