How does “bimodal compression” accelerate healing after liposuction?
“Bimodal compression” describes a technique that uses two degrees of compression after liposuction. Initially, a high degree of compression is used to accelerate the drainage of blood-tinged tumescent anesthetic solution from open incision sites (incision not closed with sutures). Next, the degree of compression is reduced after all drainage has ceased, in order to avoid excessive compression. If there is too much compression after all drainage has ceased, the lymphatic vessels are squeezed shut and prevented from absorbing the remaining blood-tinged tumescent fluid. Bimodal compression is easily achieved by initially using two compression garments, one on top of the other, which provide additive compression. After all drainage has ceased, wearing only one garment provides enough compression to reduce the risk of seroma formation, but avoids the risk of preventing the absorption of residual fluid by lymphatic capillaries.
