Radiology Case Reports (Apr 2021)

Multiple liver perforations: complication of an outpatient liposuction procedure

  • Julian Pohlan, MD,
  • Hannah Miller,
  • Markus H. Lerchbaumer, MD,
  • Felix Krenzien, MD,
  • Christian Benzing, MD,
  • Martina T. Mogl, MD,
  • Torsten Diekhoff, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 4
pp. 906 – 910

Abstract

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We report on a 29-year-old woman who presented with abdominal right upper quadrant pain after an outpatient liposuction procedure. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed 4 hepatic perforation tracts with subcapsular liver hematoma and hematoperitoneum. The patient was treated by intravenous tranexamic acid and isotonic fluids and monitored on an intensive care unit. No intervention or surgery was necessary during her hospital stay. Follow-up imaging after 3 days using contrast-enhanced ultrasound still showed the perforation tracts in the liver but no expansion of subcapsular hematoma. After 7 days, the patient was discharged home with stable hemoglobin and reduced pain. Liver perforation is a rare complication of liposuction procedures. In patients with abdominal pain after liposuction, contrast-enhanced imaging studies should be performed to identify and characterize solid organ injury. Teams with expertise in angiography and visceral surgery need to be on standby.

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