Determining Safe Limits for Untransfused, Outpatient Liposuction: Personal Experience and Review of the Literature

Limiting liposuction volumes to avoid transfusion is sound surgical practice. Although the plastic surgery literature reports frequent use of transfusions in liposuction surgery, dermatologists almost never use blood replacement after liposuction. Techniques which favor less bleeding include sufficient use of fresh epinephrine, cryoanesthesia, use of smaller cannulas, fluid preloading, proper preoperative evaluation, serial liposuction, intramuscular steroids, and rapid application of pressure garments. A review of the literature and personal experience are detailed.