Article Index
SmartLipo for Men
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
All Pages

Liposuction is currently one of the most frequently performed invasive cosmetic surgical procedures. Although effective in removing localized fat, liposuction and other invasive fat removal procedures do not tighten skin and are associated with significant downtime, operator effort, bleeding and bruising. The development of laser lipolytic devices has been a major advance in ease of use, reducing downtime, increasing skin contraction and lowering the frequency of adverse effects in fat removal.

Currently 36% to 40% of men have gynecomastia (Carlson, 1980).1 Most cases involve excessive glandular development, an enlarged subareolar region and adipose cells.

Obesity complicates gynecomastia because glandular breast tissue is interwoven with enlarged adipose cells, leading to pseudogynecomastia (Schafer, 2005).2

The use of laser-guided liposculpture has gained momentum for removing adipose and glandular tissue in gynecomastia and causing skin contraction. Although direct excision has been the standard technique for fat removal, this approach is often accompanied by perioareolar scars, skin laxity and other adverse events. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of laserguided liposculpture for the removal of glandular and adipose tissue in gynecomastia. The protocol of this study has been introduced by the author (Schafer, 2005).2

Cynosure’s Smartlipo is the first and only commercially available laser-guided liposculpture device. This revolutionary yet minimally invasive device disrupts adipose tissue with a high peak-powered laser that both sculpts body contours and tightens skin. Compared with current treatment options, the Smartlipo can more easily treat fibrotic and vascular areas, offering reduced downtime and fewer adverse effects.

The mechanism of laser-guided liposculpture has been described by Goldman (2006).3 A 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser disrupts adipocytes through thermal and photomechanical effects. When adipocytes absorb laser light energy, they convert it to thermal energy which causes the fat cells to expand their volume and rupture. Small blood vessels are also destroyed by coagulation and skin is tightened through tissue coagulation, resulting in stimulation of new collagen formation. Based on the author’s experience, laser-guided liposculpture can be used in various areas of the body and face, including the mandibular border, submental region, upper and lower abdomen, back, flanks, hips, love handles, pubic area, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, knees, ankles and breasts.