A Multicenter, Retrospective Evaluation of Tissue Stabilized-Guided Subcision in the Management of Cellulite

The first FDA-cleared, long-lasting, minimally invasive device for improving the appearance of cellulite was recently launched in Canada as a novel, tissue stabilized-guided subcision (TS-GS) system (Cellfina, Merz North America, Inc., Raleigh, NC). Clinicians from 2 of the first Canadian sites offering this procedure were interested in evaluating treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction after its first year on the market.

The authors sought to evaluate the efficacy of TS-GS and the level of patient satisfaction associated with the procedure.

Medical charts of female patients treated with the TS-GS system in 2017 were retrospectively analyzed at 2 Canadian centers. Measurements at baseline and 3 months posttreatment were assessed for patient satisfaction and physician-rated efficacy. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a 5-point Likert-type scale, and efficacy was evaluated through physician review of 2-deminsional and 3-dimensional photography, the Nürnberger-Müller Scale for cellulite, and the Global Assessment of Improvement Scale.

We reviewed 25 patient charts. At month 3, 95.6% of patients were satisfied with treatment results and physician evaluations revealed that on average, patients displayed a 1-point improvement in their cellulite grades. Moreover, Global Assessment of Improvement Scale scores indicated that all patients had visible improvement in the global appearance of cellulite. No serious adverse events were observed within 3 months postprocedure.

The physician ratings, patient satisfaction, and photographic evidence support the efficacy of the TS-GS system to manage grades 1 to 3 cellulite in women's thighs and buttocks. These findings indicate the safety of the TS-GS system.

Level of Evidence: 4.