Liposuction versus conservative therapy for patients with lipoedema in Germany: a multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trial.
LancetSep 5, 2026
Clinical ResearchPlastic Surgery
Maurizio Podda, Jeremias Schmidt, Manuel E Cornely et al.
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In 30 seconds
This multicentre, randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of liposuction versus conservative therapy in women with lipoedema and leg pain. Among 410 participants, 68% of those undergoing liposuction achieved a significant reduction in pain after 12 months compared to 8% in the conservative therapy group (odds ratio 26.2).
Key findings
- 68% of patients in the liposuction group achieved a pain reduction of at least 2 points after 12 months.
- Only 8% of patients in the conservative therapy group met the primary endpoint.
- Serious adverse events occurred in 8% of liposuction patients compared to 3% in the conservative group.
- Quality of life improvements were greater in the liposuction group.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that liposuction may provide significant pain relief and improve quality of life for women with lipoedema, a condition that currently has limited treatment options. Understanding these outcomes can guide clinical decision-making.