Clinical papers

Excerpt:
“Body contour improvement was observed postoperatively in all patients and there were no severe systemic or local complications, although postoperative pain was minimal in all patients. Weight and circumference reductions were significant at both 6-week and 3-month follow-up. Skin tightening was judged optimal by the surgeon in all patients. “

Abstract:

Background: The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel radiofrequency device for radiofrequency-assisted liposuction were evaluated in various body areas.

Methods: From July to December of 2008, 23 subjects underwent radiofrequency-assisted liposuction using the BodyTite system. Information regarding aesthetic results and local and systemic complications was collected immediately after the procedure and at 6- and 12-week follow-up.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 38.8 ± 12.4 years, and 87 percent were women. Radiofrequency-assisted liposuction was performed successfully in all cases; volume aspirated per patient was 2404 ± 1290 ml, whereas operative time was 158 ± 44 minutes. All patients underwent liposuction at the hip and low abdominal areas, laterally. Body contour improvement was observed postoperatively in all patients and there were no severe systemic or local complications, although postoperative pain was minimal in all
patients. Weight and circumference reductions were significant at both 6-week and 3-month follow-up. Skin tightening was judged optimal by the surgeon in all patients.

Conclusions: The authors’ study suggests that the removal of moderate volumes of fat with concurrent subdermal tissue contraction can be performed safely and effectively with radiofrequency-assisted liposuction. Additional benefits of this technique are excellent patient tolerance and fast recovery time. Nonetheless, a larger sample is required to confirm the authors’ results and guarantee the efficacy and safety of the procedure. Direct comparison with traditional liposuction or energy-assisted liposuction techniques may provide some insights to tailor future indications of this novel technique.

Excerpt:
“Radiofrequency-assisted liposuction is a promising technology for body contouring with the following apparent advantages:

• Ability to heat a significant volume of tissue quickly and uniformly
• Ability to control tissue heating through direct monitoring of temperature and tissue impedance.
• Defragmentation of fat cells and coagulation of blood vessels in the treated zone, reducing bleeding and bruising
• Obvious collagen denaturation after RFAL treatment
• Significant contraction and retraction of adipose and dermal tissue after treatment.”

Abstract:
A new liposuction technology for adipocyte lipolysis and uniform three-dimensional tissue heating and contraction is presented. The technology is based on bipolar radiofrequency energy applied to the subcutaneous adipose tissue and subdermal skin surface. Preliminary clinical results, thermal monitoring, and histologic biopsies of the treated tissue demonstrate rapid preaspiration liquefaction of adipose tissue, coagulation of subcutaneous blood vessels, and uniform sustained heating of tissue.