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Laser-assisted lipolysis for arm contouring in Teimourian grades I and II: a prospective study of 45 patients

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Abstract

Upper arm deformities secondary to weight loss or senile elastosis have led to an increased demand for aesthetic contouring procedures. We conducted this study to objectively assess if, in Teimourian low-grade upper arm remodelling, one session of laser-assisted lypolisis (LAL) could result in full patient satisfaction. Between 2011 and 2013, 45 patients were treated for unsightly fat arm Teimourian grade I (15 patients), grade IIa (15 patients) and grade IIb (15 patients) with one session of LAL. The laser used in this study was a 1470-nm diode laser (Alma Lasers, Cesarea, Israel) with the following parameters: continuous mode, 15 W power and transmission through a 600-μm optical fibre. Previous mathematical modelling suggested that 0.1 kJ was required in order to destroy 1 ml of fat. Treatment parameters and adverse effects were recorded.The arm circumference and skin pinch measurements were assessed pre and postoperatively. Patients were asked to file a satisfaction questionnaire. Pain during the anaesthesia and discomfort after the procedure were minimal. Complications included prolonged oedema in 11 patients. The average arm circumference decreased by 4.9 ± 0.4 cm in the right arm (p < 0.01) and 4.7 ± 0.5 cm in the left arm (p < 0.01) in grade I patients, 5.5 ± 0.6 cm in the right arm (p < 0.01) and 5.2 ± 0.5 cm in the left arm (p < 0.01) in grade IIa patients and 5.4 ± 0.5 cm in the right arm (p < 0.01) and 5.3 ± 0.5 cm in the left arm (p < 0.01) in grade IIB patients. The skin tightening effect was confirmed by the reduction of the skin calliper measurements in all three groups. Overall mean opinion of treatment was high for both patients and investigators. Of the 45 patients, all but one would recommend this treatment. A single session of LAL in upper arm remodelling for Teimourian grades I to IIb is a safe and reproducible technique. The procedure allows reduction in the amount of adipose deposits while providing full skin tightening.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Dr. Emma Hayton for review of the english manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. French Institute of Health and Medical Research U703, University of Lille 2, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France

    Franck Marie Leclère & Serge Mordon

  2. Department of Plastic Surgery, Transsexual Surgery, Hand Surgery, Burn Surgery, University Hospital of Bordeaux, FX Michelet Center, Place Amelie Raba Leon, 33076, Bordeaux, France

    Franck Marie Leclère & Vincent Casoli

  3. Department of Plastic Surgery, MHH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    Franck Marie Leclère & Peter Vogt

  4. Instituto Médico Vilafortuny, Av. Vilafortuny, 31, 43850, Cambrils, Tarragona, Spain

    Justo M. Alcolea & Mario A. Trelles

  5. Instituto Médico Láser, Madrid, Spain

    Javier Moreno-Moraga

Authors
  1. Franck Marie Leclère
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  2. Justo M. Alcolea
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  3. Peter Vogt
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  4. Javier Moreno-Moraga
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  5. Serge Mordon
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  6. Vincent Casoli
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  7. Mario A. Trelles
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Correspondence to Mario A. Trelles.

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Leclère, F.M., Alcolea, J.M., Vogt, P. et al. Laser-assisted lipolysis for arm contouring in Teimourian grades I and II: a prospective study of 45 patients. Lasers Med Sci 30, 1053–1059 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-014-1705-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-014-1705-2

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