Prevention of Progression of Lipedema with Liposuction Using Tumescent Local Anesthesia: Results of an International Consensus Conference.

BACKGROUND:Lipedema is a chronic, progressive disorder of subcutaneous adipose tissue that usually affects the lower extremities of women. Also known as "two-body syndrome," the fat accumulations in lipedema are unsightly and painful. The disorder is well-known in Europe but is largely unrecognized and underdiagnosed in the United States.OBJECTIVE:To hold the First International Consensus Conference on Lipedema with the purpose of reviewing current European guidelines and the literature regarding the long-term benefits that have been reported to occur after lymph-sparing liposuction for lipedema using tumescent local anesthesia.METHODS:International experts on liposuction for lipedema were convened as part of the First International Congress on Lipedema in Vienna, Austria, June 9 to 10, 2017.RESULTS:Multiple studies from Germany have reported long-term benefits for as long as 8 years after liposuction for lipedema using tumescent local anesthesia.CONCLUSION:Lymph-sparing liposuction using tumescent local anesthesia is currently the only effective treatment for lipedema.