Can Liposuction be used to treat a Morel-Lavellee lesion? (Photo)

If there is not a space filled with fluid, this can be treated with energy based liposuction and can be done at the same time as your stomach.  I suggest a formal consultation to see if you are a candidate.  Close contact with your general physician will be important.  Best, Dr. Emer.

The area is a bit difficult to see on the photo but I presume you note a contour change of your thigh after the trauma. If you are just a month out, it may be a bit early to consider things like liposuction. Some of the swelling is likely still due to the acute nature of the injury. If you have an organized hematoma (blood collection) associated with this, then it may require open debridement. Liposuction has not been well studied to relieve contour problems associated with soft tissue trauma. For this reason alone, you would have difficulty getting insurance to cover liposuction for this diagnosis. The other issue is proving medical necessity for soft tissue irregularity. You usually have to prove some functional issue is at hand. I am sorry you have had this happen to you. Please be evaluated by a plastic surgeon to get the best idea of what may serve you.

I have done this for a patient who had a crush injury. I would need an exam but prefer to use ultrasound assisted liposuction for this particular issue. This can help the contour abnormalities. Beyond that if there are secondary issues with increased visibility of dimpling or contours from the lesion or pre-existing cellulite then other technology like Cellfina for treatment of cellulite with or without fat grafting maybe necessary. 

Liposuction equipment is very effective at draining fluid and blood clots.The treatment for your Morel-Lavallee lesion depends a bit on how long ago your injury was and the current nature of the lesion.Liposuction cannulas can easily drain fluid collections and could be helpful in removing necrotic tissue.At one month, if there is a persistent fluid collection, then this may have become encapsulated.If that is the case, then simply draining the area will most likely not make it go away.When that is the case, the Morel-Lavallee lesion behaves much like a chronic seroma and may need to be surgically excised.If your lesion is small and not symptomatic, it may not need to be treated at all.One treatment option is the placement of a surgical drain after the lesion has been drained regardless of what technique is used.If you have not already, then I highly suggest you get a plastic surgery consultation for your Morel-Lavallee lesion.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.