Clinical application of cryolipolysis in Asian patients for subcutaneous fat reduction and body contouring

Background@#Cryolipolysis, a preferred method for minimally invasive body contouring, involves the noninvasive cooling of adipocytes to induce lipolysis without damaging other tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cryolipolysis for the treatment of excessive fat tissue. @*Methods@#Between May 2014 and December 2017, 231 patients with 448 areas of interest were enrolled and their records were retrospectively reviewed. We used five different vacuum applicators, and the best-fitting applicator was used for each area. One cycle of cryolipolysis was applied at a cooling intensity factor of 41.6. The efficacy was evaluated 12 weeks after treatment via review of clinical photographs, the pinch test, and ultrasonographic measurements of fat thickness. The occurrence of any complications was also assessed. @*Results@#The volume was reduced in all of the areas to which cryolipolysis was applied. The rate of reduction of the fat layer as measured via the pinch test was 19.2%, and the rate of the decrease in fat layer thickness as measured via ultrasonography was 22.8%. Fat reduction of the upper arm differed significantly from that of the abdomen and flank, but no significant difference was found between sexes. The side effects were limited to erythema, edema, bruising, and numbness at the treatment site and resolved without treatment. @*Conclusions@#Cryolipolysis, with new and better-fitting applicators, is safe, fast, and effective for the reduction of excessive fat tissue on the abdomen, back, flank, and extremities. It is a good option for treating excess adipose tissue in Asian patients.

Minimally invasive facial rejuvenation combining thread lifting with liposuction: A clinical comparison with thread lifting alone

BACKGROUND: Barbed thread lifting is known to be a minimally invasive procedure compared with standard incisional surgery for facial rejuvenation. However, some studies have pointed out that the effects of thread lifting do not last long and disappear after several months. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and duration of anchoring-type absorbable thread lifting combined with liposuction for facial rejuvenation. METHODS: A retrospective review of 27 cosmetic patients who underwent absorbable barbed thread lifting with liposuction between July 2013 and December 2015 was undertaken. The efficiency of facial rejuvenation was evaluated through a patient satisfaction score and the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS). RESULTS: Subjects were divided into two groups: thread lifting only and thread lifting combined with liposuction. The mean follow-up period of each group was 8.5 and 9.3 months, respectively. In the thread lifting-only group, the average patient satisfaction score was 2.36 (1=unsatisfied to 4=very satisfied), and the average GAIS score was 2.54 (1=very much improved to 5=worsen). In the thread lifting with liposuction group, the average patient satisfaction score was 3.06, and the average GAIS score was 1.85. CONCLUSIONS: Thread lifting combined with liposuction showed better patient satisfaction and GAIS results than thread lifting alone, even over a long follow-up period.