Injection lipolysis for reduction of saddlebag trochanteric bulges--half-side controlled pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Phosphatidylcholine, a lecithin extracted from soybeans can reduce serum cholesterol to some extent. Intravenous use may prevent fat embolism in polytrauma patients. When injected intralesionally in a formulation containing also deoxycholate and ethanol it is supposed to act as "fat burner" to reduce undesired fat deposits; there is little evidence-based scientific support for this indication.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the capability of phosphatidylcholine + deoxycholate + ethanol (PPC/DC/E) to reduce body fat with a half-side pilot study for the reduction of saddlebag trochanteric bulges.


METHODS
PPC/DC/E was injected into the right posterior trochanteric areas three times at weeks 0, 3 and 6. Treatment areas and the same regions of the contralateral side as a control were evaluated by sonography. Tape measurements were taken and the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was measured with an optical device (Lipometer) at baseline and at week 8 and week 20 (2 and 14 weeks after completing therapy).


RESULTS
In this half-side trial, no significant reduction of subcutaneous fat was achieved after three treatments with PPC/DC/E when compared to the untreated side.Transient inflammatory reactions occurred in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Only the commercially available formulation containing the three components was tested.


CONCLUSIONS
The off-label use of PPC/DC/E as a "fat burner" did not produce measurable reduction of undesired trochanteric fat deposits.
Kopera
Daisy
D
Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. daisy.kopera@meduni-graz.at
Horejsi
Renate
R
Werner
Stefan
S
Moeller
Reinhard
R
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008066:Lipolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013848:Thigh / Q000473:pathology; D041622:Tomography, Optical
D004338:Drug Combinations; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; C005152:lipostabil