Improving Outcomes in Upper Arm Liposuction: Adding Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction to Induce Skin Contraction

Duncan, Diane

doi:10.1177/1090820x11429549

Cited by 51 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…It has been reported that loose skin can be improved through the effect of the RF energy tightening the connection of the skin/fat layer to the underlying fascia and the overlying dermis. 10 It is important to point out that the degree of skin contracture, in our experience, is variable depending on the patient’s Fitzpatrick skin type. In general, patients with a thicker dermis respond better to SAL regardless of energy application.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Techniques such as aggressive subdermal liposuction 4 and energy-assisted liposuction modalities have been reported to result in better skin retraction following SAL and an improvement in the arm aesthetic. 2,6,10 RFAL represents a novel technique utilizing electromagnetic radiation to cause contraction of the soft tissue matrix. 6,10 For patients who are candidates for RFAL (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8,10 Real-time temperature monitoring shuts off the RF energy delivery at the temperature maximum. The majority of the energy is directed to the proximal one-third of the arm that corresponds to the area of greatest laxity in most patients.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Radiofrequency-assisted Liposuction for Arm Contouring

Theodorou

Chia

2013

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background:Contouring of the arms that does not involve skin excision remains a difficult challenge due to the dependent nature and quality of the skin. Although brachioplasty remains effective, it requires a lengthy incision. Radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL) may improve skin retraction with a satisfactory aesthetic result without skin resection and the resultant scar. The purpose of this study is to present our experience of RFAL arm contouring under local anesthesia, detailing safety guidelines, the marking technique, operative technique, complications, third-party surgeon appraisal, and patient satisfaction survey.Methods:Forty patients underwent RFAL under local tumescent anesthesia for aesthetic arm contouring. Postoperative patient satisfaction surveys were conducted and independent third-party surgeons were surveyed to assess improvements in contour and skin quality with preoperative and postoperative photographs.Results:Complications included 1 burn near the elbow treated successfully with local wound care and 1 seroma that resolved with aspiration. The patient survey indicated that most patients had minimal or no discomfort with the injection of local anesthesia, application of radiofrequency energy, or aspiration of fat. The majority of patients were satisfied with their contouring result and degree of skin tightening. Third-party plastic surgeons found the improvement in contouring and degree of skin tightening good to excellent.Conclusions:In appropriately selected patients, RFAL arm contouring under local anesthesia represents an alternative procedure with acceptably low morbidity and high patient satisfaction. To achieve consistent results while minimizing complications, consideration to anatomic details, infiltration of the local anesthetic, and application of the radiofrequency energy must be given.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Radiofrequency-assisted Liposuction for Arm Contouring

Theodorou

Chia

2013

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the past, multiple studies have used this method to measure skin surface area contraction (40)(41)(42), but few have used the device to measure soft tissue volumetric change (42,43). Variables with this modality include breathing cycle and posture.…”

Section: Discussion Many Noninvasive Devices Claim Subcutaneous Fat mentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantification of adipose volume reduction with a prospective study analyzing the application of external radiofrequency energy and high voltage ultrashort pulse duration electrical fields

Duncan¹,

Kim

Temaat³

2016

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To date, there have been no objective measurements of subcutaneous volume loss following treatments with a noninvasive radiofrequency (RF)-based device. Twenty female patients were treated with a suction-coupled bipolar RF device using external RF energy combined with pulsed electromagnetic RF energy for subcutaneous fat reduction. Parameters followed included weight, Vectra measurements of abdominal circumference and torso volume, and high-definition ultrasound measurements of fat thickness. Measurements were taken before treatment and three times following treatment. Analysis of the measured parameters showed that mean circumference reduction of 2.30 cm was noted at three months post-treatment. Independent volumetric analysis showed a mean subcutaneous volume reduction of 428 cc three months following RF treatment. High-resolution ultrasound fat thickness was reduced by a mean of 39.6% three months following the final BodyFX treatment. Independent and paired-sample t-tests showed a p value of < 0.05. Repeated measures of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for differences in age, as well as height and weight (proxy for body mass index) to minimize individual differences and control for extraneous variables that may affect the pre- and post-treatment results were analyzed. No confounding variables were found. All analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 21.0.

show abstract

“…More aggressive heating up to 60-70 ° C can be applied during treatment, creating immediate and more pronounced collagen contraction. In some clinical studies [24,25] up to 42% area skin contraction was achieved after RF-assisted lipolysis.…”

Section: Minimally Invasive Radiofrequency Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Basic Radiofrequency: Physics and Safety and Application to Aesthetic Medicine

Duncan¹,

Kreindel²

2014

Radiofrequency in Cosmetic Dermatology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This chapter summarizes the basic science of radiofrequency (RF) and its application in aesthetic medicine. The main parameters of RF including RF frequency, waveform, power, pulse duration, and penetration depth are described, and its application for treatment is analyzed. Monopolar and bipolar devices are described in detail for different clinical applications. The effect of RF electrode geometry on tissue heating is shown, and tissue-specific electrical parameters are summarized. The chapter discusses which RF parameters are required to reach therapeutic temperatures for tissue ablation, coagulation, or subnecrotic heating. RF parameters used for noninvasive, minimally invasive, and fractional treatment are compared. Finally, the chapter explains the main safety concerns associated with RF treatments and details the most common causes of adverse events.The term radiofrequency (RF) was first introduced with the invention of radio and was applied to electromagnetic radiation or current ranging from 3 kHz to 300 GHz. Since then, the field of medicine has used the relatively narrow band of this spectrum from 200 kHz to 40 MHz in many different applications. The main advantage of RF energy in medicine is a low or negligible reaction of nerves to high-frequency alternating current (AC) in comparison to lower frequencies.William T. Bovie invented the first electrosurgical device while working at Harvard [1]. This device was used by Dr. Harvey Williams Cushing on October 1, 1926, at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Mass., to remove a tissue mass from a patient's head [2]. Since then, RF electrosurgical devices have become one of the most useful surgical instruments. Recently, RF has experienced a resurgence in aesthetic medicine with applications for ablative and nonablative applications. RF energy has become an

show abstract

Improving Outcomes in Upper Arm Liposuction: Adding Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction to Induce Skin Contraction

Cited by 51 publications

References 30 publications

Radiofrequency-assisted Liposuction for Arm Contouring

Radiofrequency-assisted Liposuction for Arm Contouring

Quantification of adipose volume reduction with a prospective study analyzing the application of external radiofrequency energy and high voltage ultrashort pulse duration electrical fields

Basic Radiofrequency: Physics and Safety and Application to Aesthetic Medicine

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About