title: Laser cellulite treatment and laser-assisted lipoplasty of the thighs and buttocks: Combined modalities for single stage contouring of the lower body.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cellulite and lipodystrophy are often found together, especially in areas of the buttocks and thighs, causing skin surface irregularities. Each of these conditions is currently treated independently as two separate surgical procedures. In our practice, we developed a novel combined approach for the simultaneous treatment of cellulite and lipodystrophy, as a single stage procedure in the same anatomic area. For the treatment of cellulite, we used the Nd:YAG laser at a wavelength of 1,440-nm, along with an innovative 1,000-micron directional side-firing fiber optic laser system. For the treatment of lipodystrophy, the Nd:YAG laser with a 1,440 nm wavelength, along with a fiber optic laser system was used. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of a combined approach for the simultaneous treatment of cellulite and lipodystrophy.
  In 2012, 16 subjects with noticeable cellulite, Grade II and Grade III, accompanied by mild-to-moderate lipodystrophy of the lower body received single treatments of the Nd:YAG laser at a wavelength of 1,440-nm along with the 1,000-micron side-firing fiber optic laser system for simultaneous treatments of both cellulite and lipodystrophy. Patients were assessed at baseline and 3-6 months post-treatment by a modified Nurnberger-Muller scale utilized to quantify the cellulite severity. Additionally, patient satisfaction and a global aesthetic improvement scale were used to measure the improvement in lipodystrophy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blinded reviewers identified the correct baseline photographs 97% of the time when presented with a set of photographs. The median modified Nurnberger-Muller scale score at baseline was 4.75 ± 1.2 and the average improvement was 2.0 ± 1.2. Global aesthetic improvement scores ranged from 1 to 3 with an average of 1.58 indicating a much-improved overall appearance. Satisfaction was high for both physicians and patients with scores corresponding to extremely satisfied/satisfied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Precise, effective delivery of laser energy to the dermal-adipose tissue, as well as the deep adipose lipodystrophy is feasible as a safe modality for the simultaneous treatment of cellulite and lipodystrophy in the buttocks and thighs, as a single stage procedure.
authors.affiliation: Palos Verdes Plastic Surgery Medical Center, Torrance, California.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petti
authors.affiliation: Palos Verdes Plastic Surgery Medical Center, Torrance, California.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stoneburner
authors.affiliation: Palos Verdes Plastic Surgery Medical Center, Torrance, California.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002081:Buttocks; D000071697:Cellulite / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013848:Thigh
keywords: 1440 nm; body contouring; cellulite; combination therapy; laser-assisted liposuction; lipodystrophy; sculpting; single treatment; two-step approach