Lipotomy

Lipotomy is a lipodissolution technique of aesthetic medicine which aims at dissolving undesirable greasy clusters without the use of harsh techniques or surgery. A PubMed search conducted in August 2011 failed to identify any clinical trials that have evaluated the efficacy and safety of lipotomy.

Towards the end of the 1990s, Bernstein (Paris) was the first to carry out clinical trials and to try to codify the technique. He coined the term "Lipotomie". Others followed (Haddad in Paris), trying to bring each one their contribution, for example by using lecithin of soya injections, but without, however, obtaining convincing results. Several meetings remained necessary and the results were inconsistent from the quality point of view. The fatty cells can indeed easily present unpleasant and unaesthetic scars called lipodystrophies.

The first to have standardized and to optimize the results, on large scale, was Pirmez with his team in 2002. Pirmez developed a formulation of infiltration liquid of combining effectiveness and inocuity. The basic concept took again the action of the osmolarity, potentiated by the use of a facilitator agent.

For the first time the technique was codified and duly recorded near the European medical authorities. With his collaborator, Dr Durand, they have between 2004 and 2005 series of more than 800 clinical cases, showing a completely convincing rate of satisfaction.

In 2004 Dr. Durand, improve the technique by additional equipment as special ultrasound therapy and new hypo-osmolar combinaison, they have at the present time a series of more than 5000 clinical cases, showing a completely convincing rate of satisfaction. In 2009 the new lipotomy 2.0 was launched by Dr Durand and all the member of ICL. The new lipotomy 2.0 is more effective, and accelerate the results. The patients get slimmer in an average time of 2 weeks, instead of one month with the previous technique.

The International College of Lipotomy is dedicated to training and educating physicians from all over the world on the field of lipotomy. In clinical studies the methode has been proven capable of significantly reducing fatty deposits. In every new procedure, it is necessary to establish standards of treatment, to guarantee the best possible results as well as the maximum of safety for the patient. ICL not only has established treatment-standard but is also consulting physicians on the best pharmaceutical preparations available to ensure the best possible results in the treatment. The basic version of Lipotomy, successfully used in Europe since 1999, is today being practised by many physicians throughout the world. With the last improvement, today Lipotomy yields results comparable to medium size surgical liposuction.

Technique
Lipotomy, or hypo-osmolar treatment, is a technique which claims to enable cellulite to be reduced and which claims to involve intra-cellular hyperhydration, membrane weakening or potassium tonicity of adipocytes in order to permit their destruction. That technique is claimed to be based on the principle of diluting the interstitial liquid in which the adipocytes lie in order to induce differences in osmotic pressure on each side of the adipocyte membrane. Those differences in osmotic pressure result in a flow of liquid from the compartment of lower osmolarity (the interstitial liquid) towards the compartment of higher osmolarity (the cytoplasm of the adipocytes). The lipotomy technique conventionally used comprises the intra-fatty administration of a so-called "destruction" solution, which is highly hypotonic and which is claimed to bring about hyperhydration of adipocytes. The increase in volume of the adipocytes is claimed to bring about a weakening of their membrane, and is also claimed to cause cell lesions. The destruction of the adipocytes is claimed to be completed by slight mechanical traumatism, for example, by the application of a transcutaneous ultrasound field or by massage of the palpation-rolling type in particular.

The quantity of fluid infiltrated must be higher than 500 ml, ideally 1 liter. The subcutaneous infiltration lasts approximately 45 minutes. A local anaesthetic is added to the mixture.

Any injection bears risks such as damage to nerves or blood vessels or infection. There has been at least one occurrence of a subcutaneous abscess requiring hospitalisation and surgical intervention subsequent to a lipotomy procedure. Although rare, local application of anaesthetics may also cause serious undesirable effects. In Lipotomy all ingredients injected are usual in the body.