The Darmstadt dermatology clinic led a nationwide study with 410 patients at eleven centers
A study conducted under the leadership of the dermatology clinic at Darmstadt University Hospital has provided new data on the treatment of women with lipedema. According to the study, liposuction led to a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in quality of life more frequently than continuing conservative therapy in the patients studied. The results of the so-called LIPLEG study were published in the medical journal "The Lancet".
The randomized, controlled, and multicenter study 410 patients with lipedema stages I to III at a total of eleven centers in Germany.
Liposuction compared to conservative therapy
Lipedema is a chronic fat distribution disorder that almost exclusively affects women. It is characterized by fat deposits, particularly in the legs, and sometimes also in the arms. This can be associated with pain, a feeling of heaviness, restricted movement, and an increased tendency to bruise.
Conservative treatment includes compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and physical activity. Previous small-scale studies had already suggested that liposuction could also alleviate symptoms.
In the LIPLEG study, all participants initially received standard conservative therapy for several months. They were then randomly assigned to different treatment groups: one group underwent liposuction, while the other patients continued with conservative therapy.
Significant difference in pain reduction
Twelve months after liposuction, the study authors found a 26-fold higher probability of a relevant reduction in pain compared to patients who continued to receive conservative treatment.
The group that underwent liposuction also scored better in terms of quality of life. However, these patients experienced more complications than the group receiving conservative therapy. The authors therefore emphasize the need for thorough medical consultation and an individual assessment of benefits and risks.
The study will continue. After 36 months, data on possible late complications, further necessary operations, and the long-term satisfaction of the patients will be evaluated.
Study led by Maurizio Podda
The study was led by Prof. Dr. Maurizio Podda, the long-time director of the dermatology clinic at Darmstadt Hospital. Podda, who died in August 2025, focused his clinical and scientific work primarily on lipedema.
The Darmstadt Clinic acted as the sponsor of the study. Participating institutions included the University of Cologne and the University Hospital of Cologne with its Center for Clinical Studies, as well as the Institute for Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics at the University of Cologne. Professor Dr. Oliver A. Cornely was among the key scientists involved.
The study was initiated by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) with the involvement of affected individuals and financed by statutory health insurance funds. According to the hospital, the results contributed to the G-BA's decision to include liposuction in the statutory health insurance benefits catalog under certain conditions for all stages of lipedema.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM/Klinikum)
