Water Jet-Assisted Liposuction for Patients with Lipoedema: Histologic and Immunohistologic Analysis of the Aspirates of 30 Lipoedema Patients

Lipoedema is a fat distribution disorder causing massive, bilaterally symmetrical enlargement of the lower and in some cases the upper extremities in women. The atraumatic, anatomically appropriate procedure of water jet-assisted liposuction available today represents a promising treatment for these patients who generally suffer from severe subjective and objective impairment. Liposuction treatment can bring long-term improvement if the operative technique focuses on lymph vessel preservation. Immunohistologic analyses show minimal evidence of lymph vessel structures in lipoaspirates. The histologic analysis of the aspirates documents a relatively specific removal ("apheresis") of primarily intact lipocytes with low vascular amount.