A comparison of three separate clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of laser-assisted lipolysis using 1,064, 1,320nm, and a combined 1,064/1,320nm multiplex device

• Published in: Lasers in surgery and medicine 2009-12, Vol.41 (10), p.774-778
• Main Authors: Woodhall, Katrina E, Saluja, Raminder, Khoury, Jane, Goldman, Mitchel P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Burns; hemostasis; Lasers; Lipolysis; Skin; Temperature effects; Wavelength
• ISSN: 1096-9101
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.20859

Background Laser-assisted lipolysis has been suggested to augment traditional liposculpture by improving skin laxity and providing hemostasis. Previous studies have reported improved hemostasis and smoother post-operative appearance with the 1,064 Nd:YAG laser-assisted lipolysis system. Methods Three separate pilot studies were performed. In the first study, both arms were treated with tumescent liposculpture. One arm was randomized to treatment with a subcutaneous 1,064nm Nd:YAG laser. The second study treated multiple sites with half of the area randomized to receive the 1,064nm versus the 1,320nm system followed by aspiration at equal power. The third study treated patients using a combined 1,064/1,320nm multiplex laser system at multiple sites. The endpoint of laser treatment was determined by an external skin surface temperature of 40?C. In all three studies, photographs were compared at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-operatively. Results In the first study, no significant improvement over tumescent liposculpture alone was noted using the 10W, 1,064nm laser. The second study showed no difference using the 10W, 1,320nm versus the 10W, 1,064nm laser-assisted lipolysis system. Finally, the multiplex 1,064/1,320nm system appeared to show improvement in skin laxity and fat reduction. Complications included intra-operative thermal burns in 2 of 20 patients using the multiplex system. No complications were noted using the 1,064 or 1,320nm 10W systems. Conclusions Laser-assisted lipolysis provides an innovative way to address the problem of skin laxity and fat reduction. Clinical results increased dramatically with the combined 1,064/1,320nm multiplex system. However, caution should be used when exceeding external skin temperatures of 40?C to avoid unwanted thermal burns. Future studies comparing the end temperature and wavelengths independently may help to conclusively delineate the optimal system. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:774-778, 2009. ? 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.