Pulsed Short-Wave Diathermy Restricts Swelling and Bruising of Liposuction Patients

Abstract

Introduction:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of pulsed short-wave diathermy on the recovery of patients undergoing liposuction.

Methods and Materials:

Ten female patients had one thigh treated with 27.12-MHz pulsed short-wave diathermy for 20 minutes prior to surgery, 1 day and 5 days postoperatively. The contralateral thigh received no diathermy treatment. The surgeon was blinded to which thigh received the diathermy and performed liposuction evenly to both thighs. Patients' swelling, bruising, and level of pain were measured.

Results:

The area treated with diathermy demonstrated a significant decrease in swelling at day 1 (= 0.66 cm vs + 1.38 cm) and day 5 (–0.5 cm vs −0.1). The area treated with diathermy also resulted in significantly less bruising at day 1 (15.31 cm² vs 18.62 cm²).

Discussion:

There was no significant difference in postoperative pain. Pulsed short-wave diathermy restricts and decreases swelling and bruising following liposuction surgery.