Liposuction for highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-associated lipohypertrophy

Abstract

The aim is to explore satisfaction levels in HIV patients following liposuction for HAART-associated lipodystrophy. Ninety postal questionnaires were sent out, enquiring about regions affected and scoring the improvement in lifestyle, discomfort and time of recurrence. We received 66 replies (73%). All areas showed significant patient satisfaction and improvement of lifestyle as well as decrease in the discomfort previously experienced. The area with the marginally lower score was the abdomen while the interscapular and occipital area that comprised the majority of patients with the same complaint was found to have high scores of satisfaction from the patients treated. Liposuction is beneficial in managing antiretroviral-associated lipohypertrophy. Patients should be warned of variable recurrence rates and satisfaction outcomes for each anatomical region addressed.