A Systematic Approach for 3D Abdominal Lipodefinition

Abstract

Background: 3D abdominal lipodefinition is a tool to eliminate localized fat and to enhance muscular definition. The aim of this article is to describe the standardization of defining the abdomen through 3D abdominal lipodefinition, taking into consideration the fat percentage to make the technique happen in a way the results turn out completely natural.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent 3D abdominal lipodefinition by one of the authors (R.V). Patient selection criteria, preoperative markings and technique according to fat percentage, postoperative care, outcomes and complications are described.

Results: A total of 285 patients underwent 3D abdominal lipodefinition. The average age was of 33 years (18-45 years). One hundred and fifty (52.63%) of the patients had a fat percentage between 25 and 30%, 92 (32.28%) of the patients had 21-24%, and 43 (15.09%) of the patients had a fat percentage lower than 20%. The average fat volume extracted was of 1600 mL with a minimum of 800 mL and a maximum of 2000 mL. The average surgery time was of 100 min (84-118 min). Twenty-seven (9.47%) complications were observed, 15 (5.26%) had seromas and 7 (2.46%) developed hyperpigmentation on the negative areas. Asymmetries were observed in three patients (1.05%).

Conclusions: The standardization of the 3D abdominal lipodefinition technique is a systematic surgical approach associated to a classification dependent on the fat percentage of the patient and their physical build, that allows for results that are natural, according to each patient, reproducible and with a low complication index.

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: 3D liposuction; Anatomical lipodefinition; Fat percentage; Preservation lipoplasty.