From Cellulite to Post-liposuction Skin Irregularities: A Proposal for Definition and Classification

BACKGROUND: Post-liposuction skin irregularities (PLSI) represent a complication of liposuction, even though literature does not report specific data on their characteristics. OBJECTIVE: Considering the expanding request of treatment of PLSI and their similarities to cellulite, the aim of this study is to provide a definition or classification of their appearance according to a previously described cellulite scale and to highlight eventual novel features, in patients undergoing previous liposuction and a control group. METHODS: A total of 47 women, of which 47 percent performed a previous liposuction, were included in this study. Pictures of gluteal area and postero-lateral thighs were analyzed according to number and depth of depressions, skin laxity, asymmetry and v-sign by three investigators. The correlation between parameters and previous liposuction was explored with statistical analysis. RESULTS: Our results show good to excellent intraobserver agreement and moderate to good agreement between the evaluators. Additionally, we showed that PLSI can appear as marked cellulite signs (depth of evident depression) or as specific previously not reported features including asymmetry and v-sign. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide information about the previously unreported morphology of PLSI. Further studies will apply validated features of PLSI proposed herein to clinical practice.