Adverse Events of Soft Tissue Coagulation Using a Helium-Based Plasma Technology Alone and in Combination With Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

BACKGROUND: Protein denaturation and collagen contraction occur when living tissue is heated to well-defined temperatures. The result is reduced volume and surface area of the heated tissue. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the adverse events of procedures in which a helium-based plasma technology (HPT) was used with and without ultrasound-assisted liposuction for the coagulation of soft tissue. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective chart review was performed in which patients (n = 192) were divided into 2 groups: one that received only soft tissue coagulation and the other that received both soft tissue coagulation and liposuction. Each of the 2 groups was subdivided into patients with and without adverse events, including seroma. Odds ratios for adverse events were calculated for both demographic and surgical subgroups. Seroma data were analyzed separately. RESULTS: No serious adverse events were observed. Forty-six (24.0%) patients reported 51 total adverse events. Seroma was the most frequently occurring adverse event with 13 patients (6.8%) reporting 17 (33.3%) events in 12 body areas. In these cases, all areas were treated with both liposuction and soft tissue coagulation. Seroma was not observed in patients receiving soft tissue coagulation alone. Patients aged 61 to 76 years and males were more likely to experience seroma or other adverse event than younger patients or females, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the HPT for soft tissue coagulation in combination with ultrasound for liposuction is associated with nonserious adverse events. The most frequently occurring adverse event, seroma, was not observed in patients treated with HPT alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3: [Image: see text]