The advent of the tumescent technique in 1987 allowed for safe total corporal contouring as an ambulatory, single-session
megaliposuction with the patient under regional anesthesia supplemented by local anesthetic only in selected areas. Safety
and aesthetic issues define large-volume liposuction as having a 5,000-ml aspirate, mega-volume liposuction as having an 8,000-ml
aspirate, and giganto-volume liposuction as having an aspirate of 12,000 ml or more. Clinically, a total volume comprising
5,000 ml of fat and wetting solution aspirated during the procedure qualifies for megaliposuction/large-volume liposuction.
Between September 2000 and August 2005, 470 cases of liposuction were managed. In 296 (63%) of the 470 cases, the total volume
of aspirate exceeded 5 l (range, 5,000–22,000 ml). Concurrent limited or total-block lipectomy was performed in 70 of 296
cases (23.6%). Regional anesthesia with conscious sedation was preferred, except where liposuction targeted areas above the
subcostal region (the upper trunk, lateral chest, gynecomastia, breast, arms, and face), or when the patient so desired. Tumescent
infiltration was achieved with hypotonic lactated Ringer’s solution, adrenalin, triamcinalone, and hyalase in all cases during
the last one year of the series. This approach has clinically shown less tissue edema in the postoperative period than with
conventional physiologic saline used in place of the Ringer’s lactate solution. The amount injected varied from 1,000 to 8,000
ml depending on the size, site, and area. Local anesthetic was included only for the terminal portion of the tumescent mixture,
wherever the subcostal regions were infiltrated. The aspirate was restricted to the unstained white/yellow fat, and the amount
of fat aspirated did not have any bearing on the amount of solution infiltrated. There were no major complications, and no
blood transfusions were administered. The hospital stay ranged from 8 to 24 h for both liposuction and liposuction with a
lipectomy. Serous discharge from access sites and serosanguinous fluid accumulation requiring drainage were necessitated in
32 of 296 cases (10.8%). Minor recontouring touch-ups were requested in 17 of 296 cases (5.7%). Early ambulation was encouraged
for mobilization of third-space fluid shifts to expedite recovery and to prevent deep vein thrombosis. Follow-up evaluation
ranged from 6 to 52 months, with 38 (12.8%) of 296 patients requesting further sessions for other new areas. Average weight
reduction observed was 7 to 11.6 kg (approx. 4 to 10% of pre-operative body weight). Meticulous perioperative monitoring of
systemic functions ensures safety in tumescent megaliposuction for the obese, and rewarding results are achieved in a single
sitting.
Keywords Large-volume liposuction - Megaliposuction - Obese - Tumescent technique