Liposuction Using Wall Suction and Portable Suction in the Treatment of Gynecomastia

Abstract

Although there are a variety of advanced liposuction techniques for body contouring, they all come with financial burden and are not available in all hospitals. This article describes a method of using hospital wall suction and portable suction as an alternative for liposuction machine in the management of gynecomastia. Twenty-three patients with gynecomastia from 2015 to 2020 were included. Patients were classified by Simon et al.’s grades of gynecomastia and by the four categories on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. Wall and portable suction–assisted liposuction was performed. Further follow-up of complications was monitored for up to 2 years. The satisfaction of patients was measured with the Breast Evaluation Questionnaire (BEQ), and the objective improvement was evaluated by three observers. Among the 23 patients (45 breasts) treated using this technique, there were complications in a total of three patients. The average operative time was 65 min (range, 40 to 80 min). The patients’ mean (standard deviation (SD)) overall satisfaction score was 4.13 (0.5). The mean (SD) BEQ for all variables increased from a “dissatisfied” score of 1.8 (0.2) preoperatively to a “satisfied” score of 4.0 (0.1) postoperatively (p < 0.001). In the objective evaluation, the analysis of variance test demonstrated that the postoperative results showed significant improvement (p = 0.002). Wall suction and portable suction–assisted liposuction is not only a safe and satisfying technique for the treatment of patients with gynecomastia but also a convenient and cost-effective technique for surgeons who cannot avail or afford liposuction devices.