Cosmetic Surgery Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Cosmetic Surgery, including details on microsurgery, reconstruction, techniques, risks.

Lipoplasty of the face and neck.

Doerr TD

Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York, USA. timothy_doerr@urmc.rochester.edu

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Facial aesthetic surgery has gained wider acceptance and demand for it is increasing. Patients seeking a more youthful facial look often request lipoplasty. This article reviews the recent advances in lipoplasty and related fat contouring for the face and neck. RECENT FINDINGS: Lipoplasty of the face and neck continues to be popular. There have been improvements in instrumentation, with laser and powered lipoplasty improving the efficiency of fat removal. Lipoplasty indications for neck lipodystrophy have been extended to patients previously only offered neck lifting. Additionally, limited procedures for patients with isolated anterior neck deformities, including direct lipectomy and skin excision, are gaining in popularity. Considerable attention in the lay and professional literature has been paid to mesotherapy for dissolving unwanted fat. Evidence supporting its efficacy is elusive. Finally, there remains enthusiasm for injection fat transfer for facial volume restoration as a component of rejuvenation. SUMMARY: The treatment of lipodystrophy of the face and neck involves the removal of undesirable fat and the transfer of fat to other areas to produce improved aesthetic results. With the current emphasis on restoring volume, lipoplasty and fat transfer will continue to be important in facial plastic surgery.

Published 10 July 2007 in Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 15(4): 228-32.
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