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Utilizing external ultrasonic energy to improve the results of tumescent liposculpture
1Coronado Skin Medical Center, Inc., California, USA.
Background:
External ultrasound has been used safely for many years for therapy and diagnosis by multiple medical specialists. It has also been utilized safely to treat postoperative swelling after liposculpture. Recently, internal tumescent ultrasonic liposculpture has been introduced. Since internal and external ultrasonic devices utilize injected fluid to create an environment in the fat that efficiently transmits sound waves, it seemed logical that external ultrasound incorporated with tumescent liposculpture would be successful. This study was designed to compare tumescent liposculpture combined with external ultrasound with tumescent liposculpture alone.
Objective:
A side-by-side comparison of the results of tumescent liposculpture combined with external ultrasound versus tumescent liposculpture alone was performed.
Methods:
Thirty patients were infused with therapeutic amounts of tumescent solution to achieve anesthesia and vasoconstriction in the areas to be treated. External ultrasound was then applied to one-half of the areas to be treated in a randomized fashion. Either the left side or the right side of the body was treated with ultrasound. Liposculpture was then performed using a variety of cannulas. Evaluations were made of the temperature of the tissues, the ease of cannula movement by the surgeon, and the time of performing the technique in each area. Postoperatively, the amount of bruising and swelling were evaluated, as was the discomfort of the patient.
Results:
Clinical assessment results revealed that external ultrasound combined with tumescent liposculpture was easier for the surgeon, requiring less physical effort with less operating time, and less bruising, swelling, and discomfort for the patient postoperatively.
Conclusions:
External ultrasound combined with tumescent liposculpture produced significant doctor and patient benefit both operatively and postoperatively. Ongoing studies are currently being performed to evaluate higher wattage ultrasonic units.