Suction lipectomy during flap reconstruction provides immediate and safe debulking of the skin island.

Abstract

Immediate suction lipectomy combined with flap reconstruction has not been reported to date. Concern of skin island compromise has swayed clinicians from attempting synchronous debulking of generous skin island tissue during primary flap reconstruction. To date, several reports have documented the safe use of liposuction during mobilization of skin flaps as a minimally invasive, undermining tool in the cervical neck area. Additionally, liposuction has been used safely as an adjunct to rhytidectomy procedures over areas containing vital structures. The authors report 2 patients in whom generous skin island tissue prevented primary closure after transposition of the flap into its recipient site. Aspiration of subcutaneous tissue in a transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap and gluteus musculocutaneous rotational flap for breast and sacral ulcer reconstructions respectively resulted in appropriate debulking of the skin island without any flap skin compromise. The findings of this report may provide impetus for further clinical investigations establishing the utility of combined suction lipectomy and flap reconstruction.