Cryolipolysis: A Real Alternative to Liposuction?

    MANHATTAN, NY, August 06, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Liposuction is one of the most successful techniques in plastic surgery. By mechanically removing fat from specific deposits, liposuction can help people achieve a better appearance with more slightly body shape.

Although successful, liposuction does have some limitations, not the least of which is that it is a surgical procedure with surgical risks, including anesthesia complications. As a result, people are always looking for new alternatives, especially non-surgical alternatives, to improve or replace liposuction. One of the most recent of these is Cryolipolysis, a system promoted and sold by Zeltiq, but developed by a pair of doctors working at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The Science

According to its marketing, the researchers originally noted that prolonged, local tissue cooling led subcutaneous fat cells to undergo spontaneous cell death, leading to the reduction of localized fat deposits without damaging the skin or other tissues in the area. In the procedure, the skin is exposed to controlled cooling for a predetermined amounts of time, sufficient to damage fat cells, but not to damage skin cells or connective tissue. Then the body naturally eliminates the dead cells.

Currently, little research has been done on the technique. In a prospective study, three pigs were strapped to prototype models and treated at 22 different sites, then "sacrificed" to show that there was a significant reduction in subcutaneous fat at treatment sites. In another study, nine subjects were enrolled. In another study, ten subjects were used. In these studies, fat was shown to be reduced, blood fat content remained stable, and nerves seem to have been undamaged. These are the only published studies noted by the manufacturer of the machine.

Approval

The new machines have been developed by Zeltiq, but have been approved for use in the United States only under a 510(k) application. The 510(k) application is used for devices that are substantially equivalent to devices already on the market and for the same purposes. For its application, Zeltiq compared its technology to skin cooling techniques used during laser skin treatments. This allows the machine to be marketed in the United States for "skin cooling," but does not allow them to market it for reduction of fat deposits.

However, it does not stop doctors from marketing the machine for reduction of fat deposits, or calling it a new, clinically-proven, non-invasive alternative to liposuction. Doctors have the discretion to use medicine and machines for many off-label uses. The device is currently under investigation for use in reducing body fat, but has not yet received approval.

Let the Buyer Beware

As always, be skeptical whenever you are told about a new technique that claims to be as good as or better than liposuction. Often, these techniques have not undergone rigorous testing to determine whether they are safe or effective. Three pigs and less than twenty subjects are not enough to evaluate whether a procedure is truly safe. Unless you want to be a test pig, ask your prospective surgeon about testing that has been done on the technique for use as it will be used on you.

Liposuction is a well-established technique with a long track record of safety and success. When performed by a knowledgeable and experienced plastic surgeon, liposuction is a safe and effective method of reducing fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise. To learn more about liposuction, please visit the website of Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits at www.drlefkovits.com.

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