Power-assisted suction lipectomy of fasciocutaneous flaps in the extremities.

Background: A bulky appearance is one of the major patient complaints after extremity reconstruction after fasciocutaneous flaps. Serial debulking procedures with staged excision are required to improve aesthetic and functional outcome, but these methods risk injury to the vascular pedicle and often require multiple procedures for adequate thinning of the flap. We suggest the use of power-assisted suction lipectomy for the debulking of fasciocutaneous flaps in the upper and lower extremities as a safe, effective, and efficient procedure.