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.
Declaraciones
¿Ha recibido algún tipo de financiamiento para realizar su investigación sobre esta temática?
No
¿Ha recibido algún pago, honorario u otra compensación por su trabajo acerca de esta investigación?
No
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No
Este trabajo no cuenta con el apoyo de ningún financiamiento directo o indirecto. El autor asume plena responsabilidad sobre el mismo.