"Argoplasma: analysis of 594 patients - safety, complications, and satisfaction ".

Abstract

Liposuction is the most frequently performed aesthetic procedure worldwide, with a 38.6% increase in the past decade. Advances in technology have transformed the procedure from simple fat removal to a sculpting technique. Argoplasma, a monopolar electrosurgical device, is gaining attention for enhancing skin retraction. This study evaluates complications and satisfaction following the use of Argoplasma after liposuction. A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in Brazil, with patients who underwent liposuction with AP between January 2022 and December 2023. Data were collected from 41 surgeons via questionnaire. Inclusion criteria comprised adults without comorbidities and a minimum of six months follow-up. Variables analyzed included demographics, surgical characteristics, Argoplasma settings, and complications. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. A total of 594 patients were included. Most patients were female (92.9%), with a mean age of 39.3 years and BMI of 25. Complications occurred in 9.4% of cases, with seroma (3.4%) and thermal injuries (2.7%) being most common. Significant risk factors for seroma included lower BMI, procedures exceeding five hours, and liposuction without adjunct surgery. No increased risk was found in patients undergoing abdominal flap undermining. Satisfaction with skin retraction was high, with mean scores of 8.9 (patients) and 8.8 (surgeons) on a 10-point scale. Argolasma used following liposuction is associated with a low complication rate and high satisfaction. Seroma remains the most frequent complication, with identifiable risk factors. Argoplasma appears safe even in procedures involving abdominal undermining, supporting its role in enhancing aesthetic outcomes.