Liposuction for surgical therapy of lipoedema: systematic review

Walter M, Gassner L
Record ID 32018001655
English
Authors' objectives: Lipoedema is a painful, chronic and progressive fat distribution disorder of the extremities. If conservative therapy does not result in sufficient improvement of symptoms, a surgical intervention, liposuction under tumescence anaesthesia, may be indicated. We investigated the clinical effectiveness and safety of liposuction for surgical therapy of lipoedema (stage I-III).
Authors' results and conclusions: The current evidence suggests that liposuctions lead to a significant pain reduction and improved health-related quality of life. However, the studies have several limitations. Overall, the quality of evidence for clinical effectiveness is not estimable and "very low" for safety outcomes.
Authors' recommendations: Inclusion in the Austrian benefit catalogue is currently not recommended. Robust comparative studies of liposuction for lipoedema are necessary in order to make a reliable statement regarding clinical effectiveness and safety.
Authors' methods: No comparative evidence could be identified. Six prospective and one additional retrospective single-arm before/after studies were evaluated.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://aihta.at/page/bewertung-medizinischer-einzelleistungen-mel-2020/en
Year Published: 2021
URL for published report: https://eprints.aihta.at/1324/1/DSD_125.pdf
URL for additional information: https://eprints.aihta.at/1324/
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Full HTA
Country: Austria
MeSH Terms
  • Lipedema
  • Lipectomy
  • Surgery, Plastic
Keywords
  • Liposuction
  • lipoedema
  • fat distribution disorder
  • tumescent anaesthesia
  • systematic review
Contact
Organisation Name: Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: Garnisongasse 7/20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
Contact Name: office@aihta.at
Contact Email: office@aihta.at
Copyright: HTA Austria - AIHTA GmbH
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.