Available Techniques for Liposuction

Liposuction terminology has become somewhat confusing over the past years since several advances have been made. Traditional liposuction involves the use of a small stainless steel tube, called a cannula (from the Latin word for reed, tube, cane). The cannula is connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin. Fat removal is accomplished as the suction cannula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. After surgery, these tiny tunnels collapse and thus result in an improved body contour. Today, although the principals of liposuction have not changed, some tools available to the surgeon have. It is these tools that have added confusion to the public perception. A number of new techniques, including ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), the tumescent technique, and power-assisted liposuction (PAL), are a few of the terms being used.

To explain in greater detail, liposuction techniques will depend on three variables: the type of anesthesia, the amount of "tumescent fluid" used, and the type of cannula used.