A Systematic Review of Subsurface Radiofrequency Treatments in Plastic Surgery

Subsurface radiofrequency (RF) treatments produce skin contraction by causing coagulation of the underlying subcutaneous fat. This method is marketed to fill a treatment gap for patients who do not wish to have surgery. A systematic review of this subject has not been previously published.

An electronic search was performed using PubMed to identify the literature describing subsurface RF treatments.

Thirty articles were evaluated. An InMode device was used in 23 studies, and a Thermi device was used in 6 studies, with or without liposuction. Treatment areas included the face, neck, body, breasts, and labia. Most studies relied on patient satisfaction scores and physician review of photographs. The most frequent complications were induration and nodules. Most patients experienced prolonged swelling and numbness. Several studies reported marginal mandibular neuropraxias. The skin response after treatment of the abdomen was poor, and seromas were common. The incidence of burns improved after modification of the InMode device. Breast treatment did not appear to be effective in treating ptosis. Patient satisfaction scores were modest. Most studies (77%) were published by authors with a known conflict of interest. In some studies, the photographs did not accurately depict the treatment result. Institutional review board approval and disclosure of off-label regulatory status were often missing.

Thermal treatment of the subcutaneous tissue introduces extra risks without a compensatory benefit. Comparisons in terms of safety, cost, recovery time, results, and complications do not favor energy-based devices. A treatment gap may be fictitious; properly informed patients may be treated with existing surgical procedures at all ages.

Little evidence supports the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous RF treatments as an improvement over results that may be obtained using traditional surgical methods such as submental lipectomy, liposuction, and abdominoplasty. Photographic integrity is often lacking. Financial conflict of interest is pervasive. Marketing precedes the science. Plastic surgeons need to be aware of these serious limitations and the off-label regulatory status of these devices, before purchasing expensive equipment and recommending subsurface RF treatments to patients.