Histologic evaluation of the pulsed Nd:YAG laser for laser lipolysis.
OBJECTIVE
Laser lipoplasty with pulsed Nd:YAG laser, widely used in Europe and Latin America, has recently been introduced in Japan and the USA. We report histologic analyses of the effects of the laser on human fat tissue.


METHODS
Freshly excised human skin and subcutaneous fat were irradiated with the pulsed Nd:YAG laser (SmartLipo, DEKA, Italy). A 1,064 nm laser at 40 Hz and 150 mJ and 100 microseconds-long pulses were used. Methods of exposure were the same as in the clinical application. In the control group, the specimens were cannulated by the handpiece without irradiation. The tissue was studied by scanning electron microscopy and hematoxylin eosin staining.


RESULTS
Scanning electron microscopy after irradiation showed greater destruction of human adipocytes than in the control. Degenerated cell membrane, vaporization, liquefaction, carbonization, and heat-coagulated collagen fibers were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that the SmartLipo appeared to be histologically effective for destruction of human fat tissue.
Ichikawa
Kota
K
Department of Plastic Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine, Japan Bohseidai, Isehara-shi, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan. ichikota@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp
Miyasaka
Muneo
M
Tanaka
Rica
R
Tanino
Ryuzaburo
R
Mizukami
Kana
K
Wakaki
Moriaki
M
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007834:Lasers; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008099:Liver / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley