Liposuction complicated by pneumothorax

SESSION TITLE: Critical Care Case Report Posters 49 SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/10/2023 09:40 am - 10:25 am INTRODUCTION: Liposuction is a generally safe and widely used cosmetic surgery procedure that involves the removal of excess fat [1]. However, one of its rare complications is pneumothorax (PTX), which is the presence of air or gas in the pleural space, which can cause the lung to collapse [2]. CASE PRESENTATION: 36-year-old woman with a surgical history significant for breast augmentation, presented complaining of shortness of breath and chest pain. Hours prior, she underwent liposuction to the axillary region and Brazilian butt lift. CT Angiogram of the chest showed large right PTX with near complete collapse of the right lung (Figure 1). She underwent chest tube thoracostomy and was provided with supportive care. The chest tube was removed after 24 hours of complete re-expansion of the right lung (Figure 2). DISCUSSION: PTX is a rare complication of liposuction with some studies reporting an incidence of less than one percent [1,3]. The risk of PTX may be higher in certain subgroups of patients, such as those with previous lipoplasty, liposuction to the axillary region, and the use of positive pressure ventilation [3]. PTX have also been reported with high volume and tumescent liposuction [3]. It is important to have a low threshold for suspecting PTX, early intervention is critical as it can prevent serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of PTX and be prepared to diagnose and treat promptly. REFERENCE #1: Kaoutzanis C, Gupta V, Winocour J, Layliev J, Ramirez R, Grotting JC, Higdon K. Cosmetic Liposuction: Preoperative Risk Factors, Major Complication Rates, and Safety of Combined Procedures. Aesthet Surg J. 2017 Jun 1;37(6):680-694. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjw243. PMID: 28430878. REFERENCE #2: Huan NC, Sidhu C, Thomas R. Pneumothorax: Classification and Etiology. Clin Chest Med. 2021 Dec;42(4):711-727. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2021.08.007. PMID: 34774177. REFERENCE #3: Mentz JA, Mentz HA, Nemir S. Pneumothorax as a Complication of Liposuction. Aesthet Surg J. 2020 Jun 15;40(7):753-758. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjaa029. PMID: 32004368; PMCID: PMC7294992. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed No relevant relationships by Christopher King No relevant relationships by Guillermo Loyola No relevant relationships by Fuhbe Mfone No relevant relationships by Michael Minichiello No relevant relationships by William Perez Morales