Cryolipolysis for noninvasive fat cell destruction: initial results from a pig model.
BACKGROUND
Liposuction is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures in the United States, but its cost and downtime has led to the development of noninvasive approaches for adipose tissue reduction.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether noninvasive controlled and selective destruction of fat cells (Cryolipolysis) can selectively damage subcutaneous fat without causing damage to the overlying skin or rise in lipid levels.


METHODS
Three Yucatan pigs underwent Cryolipolysis at 22 sites: 20 at cooling intensity factor (CIF) index 24.5 (-43.8 mW/cm(2)), one at CIF 24.9 (-44.7 mW/cm(2)), and one at CIF 25.4 (-45.6 mW/cm(2)). Treated areas were evaluated using photography, ultrasound, and gross and microscopic pathology. Lipids were at various times points. One additional pig underwent Cryolipolysis at various days before euthanasia.


RESULTS
The treatments resulted in a significant reduction in the superficial fat layer without damage to the overlying skin. An inflammatory response triggered by cold-induced apoptosis of adipocytes preceded the reduction in the fat layer. Evaluation of lipids over a 3-month period following treatment demonstrated that cholesterol and triglyceride values remained normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Cryolipolysis is worthy of further study because it has been shown to significantly decrease subcutaneous fat and change body contour without causing damage to the overlying skin and surrounding structures or deleterious changes in blood lipids.
Zelickson
Brian
B
Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. zelic002@earthlink.net
Egbert
Barbara M
BM
Preciado
Jessica
J
Allison
John
J
Springer
Kevin
K
Rhoades
Robert W
RW
Manstein
Dieter
D
D000818:Animals; D003080:Cold Temperature; D017679:Cryotherapy; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D023421:Models, Animal; D013552:Swine