Expansion of Renuvion Application to Areas Beyond the Submental Region: Review and Experience

Abstract

Background Minimally invasive and consistent skin redraping following liposuction remains an elusive goal. Application of Renuvion® (Apyx Medical, Clearwater FL, USA), helium induced cold atmospheric plasma provides coagulation, collagen contraction, and subsequent skin tightening making this elusive goal attainable. Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate energy settings, and the safety profile of Renuvion® in an effort to achieve optimal cosmesis through the improvement of skin laxity. Methods A retrospective review at a single site evaluated cases of Renuvion® between March 2020 and May 2022. Energy settings, use of concomitant VASER® (Solta Medical, Bothwell WA, USA) liposuction frequency, and adverse events were analyzed. Results In total, 180 patients were evaluated, of which 135 (75%) underwent concomitant VASER® liposuction. Renuvion® was used on the abdomen (47.8%), thighs (45.6%), arms (27.2%), submental region (25%), hip rolls (21.2%), and back (19.4%). Amongst the entire cohort, there were a total of 24 (13.3%) complications. Complications consisted of 3 (12.5%) hematomas, 1 (4.2%) burn, 6 (25%) persistent skin laxity with two returned operating room (OR) treatments, 4 (16.7%) seromas, 9 (37.5%) postoperative lymphedema that self-resolved, and 1 (4.2%) self-limited neuralgia. There were no complications that required immediate return to the OR. Conclusions Renuvion® utilization with or without VASER® has a relatively high complication rate – with minor complications as the most common – relatively safe barring proper patient selection that can mitigated with proper patient selection.