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Clinical Efficacy of Noninvasive Cryolipolysis and Its Effects on Peripheral Nerves

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Abstract

Background

Cryolipolysis provides a method for noninvasive fat reduction that significantly reduces subcutaneous fat in a pig model without apparent damage to skin and surrounding structures. This study aimed to determine whether fat reduction in humans caused by cold exposure is associated with alteration in local sensory function or nerve fibers.

Methods

In this study, 10 subjects were treated with a prototype cooling device. Fat reduction was assessed in 9 of the 10 subjects via ultrasound before treatment and at the follow-up visit. Sensory function was assessed by neurologic evaluation (n = 9), and biopsies (n = 1) were collected for nerve staining.

Results

Treatment resulted in a normalized fat layer reduction of 20.4% at 2 months and 25.5% at 6 months after treatment. Transient reduction in sensation occurred in six of nine subjects assessed by neurologic evaluation. However, all sensation returned by a mean of 3.6 weeks after treatment. Biopsies showed no long-term change in nerve fiber structure. There were no lasting sensory alterations or observations of skin damage in any of the subjects evaluated.

Conclusion

Noninvasive cryolipolysis results in substantial fat reduction within 2 months of treatment without damage to skin. The procedure is associated with modest reversible short-term changes in the function of peripheral sensory nerves.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank William Kennedy, MD, of the Kennedy Laboratory, Department of Neurology at the University of Minnesota for study guidance and histologic analysis, and Eric Okamoto, MD, of Fremont Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, California, and Jeffrey Riopelle, MD, of Laser Advantage (Medi Spa) at San Ramon, California, for contributing subjects to the study. This research was funded by Zeltiq Aesthetics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, 44 Hudson Street, New York, NY, 10013, USA

    Sydney R. Coleman

  2. San Ramon Regional Medical Center, San Ramon, CA, 94583, USA

    Kulveen Sachdeva

  3. Department of Dermatology and Pathology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, 94305, USA

    Barbara M. Egbert

  4. Zeltiq Aesthetics, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, USA

    Jessica Preciado & John Allison

Authors
  1. Sydney R. Coleman
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  2. Kulveen Sachdeva
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  3. Barbara M. Egbert
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  4. Jessica Preciado
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  5. John Allison
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sydney R. Coleman.

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Coleman, S.R., Sachdeva, K., Egbert, B.M. et al. Clinical Efficacy of Noninvasive Cryolipolysis and Its Effects on Peripheral Nerves. Aesth Plast Surg 33, 482–488 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-008-9286-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-008-9286-8

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