Skip to main content
Log in

Ultrasonic liposculpturing

  • Published:
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The author describes a revolutionary body contouring technique based on the surgical use of ultrasonic energy. It allows the selective destruction of only excess adipose tissue. The technique is based on three fundamental steps: (1) preparation of the areas to be treated with a large infiltration of a special solution, (2) treatment of the areas with ultrasonic energy through special titanium probes, (3) manual remodeling of the treated areas to eliminate the fluid from the bursted adipocytes (fatty acids). The advantages of this new technique are selective destruction of just the undesired tissues, elimination of the fluid from the adipose tissues, and the possibility of a real “lifting” of the skin of the treated areas, and a reduction of physical strain on the surgeon. The author has already treated more than 280 patients with excellent results and without contraindications or undesired side effects. The fundamental steps of ultrasonic liposculpturing, including a description of the physical principles on which the technique is based, are presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Avelar J: Fat suction of the submental and submandibular regions. Aesth Plast Surg9:257, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  2. Baker ML, Dalrymple GV: Biological effects of diagnostic ultrasound. Radiology126:479, 1978

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bartoletti CA, Ceccarelli M: A proposito dell'utilizzo degli ultrasuoni a 3 MHz nell'ambito dei trattamenti dell'adiposità localizzata. Med. Estet Ann14(12), 1990

  4. Boudjuk P: Synthesis with ultrasonic waves. J Chem Educ63(5): Maggio 1986

  5. Ceccarelli M: L'idrolipoclasia con ultrasuoni. Human BodyIV(15): Aprile-Magio-Giugno 1991

  6. Coppola V, Verrengia D, Fenza M: Effetti biologici degli ultrasuoni. Panorama Sanitario2:1, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  7. D'Andrea F, de la Padula A, Scuderi N: Nouvelle proposition technique dans le domaine de la lipo-aspiration. J Med Esthet Chir DermXVII(68): 281–283, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  8. Di Carlo A: L'impiego degli Ultrsuoni nel trattamento della cellulite. In: Bartoletti CA, Gualtierotti R (eds): Obesità, cellulite, e medicina estetica. Salus E Internat, 1986, pp 121–127

  9. Fisher A, Fisher G: Revised technique for cellulitis reduction in riding breeches deformity. Bull Int Acad Cosmet Surg, 1977

  10. Fournier P: Le filling dermique du collagène autologue. Ed francese, 1988

  11. Fournier P: Microlipoextraction et microlipoinjection. Rev Chir Esth Franc41, 1985

  12. Fournier P, Otteni F: Lipodissection in body sculpturing: the dry procedure. Plast Reconstr Surg72:598, 1983

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hill CR: Biophysical basis for possible ultrasonic hazard. Br J Radiol44:563, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  14. Illouz YG: Une nouvelle technique pour les lipodystrophies localisées. Rev Chir Esthet Fr6:19, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  15. Illouz YG: Reflexions aprés 4 ans et demi d'expériance et 800 cas de technique de lipolyse. Rev Chir Esthet Fr6:24, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  16. Illouz YG: The fat cell “graft:” a new technique to fill depressions. Plast Reconstr Surg78:1, 1986

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Illouz YG: La lipoaspiration 10 ans après. J Méd Esth et Chir DermXV:57, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  18. Illouz YG: Body contouring by lipolysis. A 5-year experience with over 3,000 cases. Plast Reconstr Surg72:591, 1983

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Illouz YG: Surgical remodelling of the silhouette by aspiration lipolysis or selective lipectomy. Aesth Plast Surg9:7, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kesselring U, Meyer R: A suction curette for removal of excessive local deposits of subcutaneous fat. Plast Reconstr Surg62:305, 1978

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kesselring U: Regional fat aspiration for body contouring. Plast Reconstr Surg72:610, 1983

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kesselring U: Lipoaspirazione; tecniche e complicazio ni. Riv Ital Chir Plast16:218, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kinney JM: Aminoacid support in the hypercatabolic patient. In: Blackburn J (ed): Aminoacid. J. Wright PSG Inc

  24. Klein JA: The tumescent technique for liposuction surgery. Am J Cosmet Surg4:263–267, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  25. Klein JA: Anesthesia for liposuction in dermatologic surgery. J Derm Surg Oncol14:1124–1132, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  26. Klein JA: Tumescent technique for regional anesthesia permits lidocaine doses of 35 mg/kg for liposuction. J Derm Surg Oncol16: 1990

  27. Lillis PJ: Liposuction surgery under local anesthesia: limited blood loss and minimal Lidocaine absorption. J Derm Surg Oncol14:1145–1148, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  28. Marchisi F: Relazione Magistrale. Congresso Internazionale di Medicina Ortomolecolare, Rome, 1990

  29. Nyborg WL, Cershoy A: Microsonation of cells under near threshold conditions. In: De Vlieger M, White DN, McCready VR (eds). Proceedings of the Second World Congress on Ultrasonic in Medicine. International Congress Series No. 277. Rotterdam: Excerpta Medica Inc., 1973

    Google Scholar 

  30. Otteni FM: Le lipofilling par autogreffes d'ilots adipocitaires. J Méd Esthet et Chir DermXIV:56, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  31. Panfili A: Trillat Award, Chicago, 1989; settore biochimico SIOT

  32. Panfili A: Aminos for Life. Gold's, 1989

  33. Peer LA: Transplantation of fat. Plast Reconstr Surg61:1, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  34. Rabineau P: Auto-réimplantation de graisse pour le traitment des rides et des dépressions du visage. Relaz al 14°Congresso SFME, Paris, 1987

  35. Report of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine's Bioeffects Committee. J Clin Ultrasond5:2, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  36. Row LB e Coll: The value of nutritional assessment in the surgical patient. J Pen9.2:170, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  37. Schrudde J: Lipexeresis the correction of local adiposity (abstract). First Congress of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Rio de Janeiro, 1972

  38. Scuderi N, de Vita R, d'Andrea F, Vonella M: Nuove prospettive nella liposuzione: la lipoemulsificazione. Giorn Chir Plast Ricostr EstetII:1, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  39. Serra Renom JM, Vila Rovira R, Tadjalli H: Tecnicas actuales del tratamiento de las lipodistrofias localizadas. Succion en tuneles. Succion curetaje. Succion trabecular. Dissecionsuccion. Chir Plast Ib Lat AmXI:287, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  40. Suchner U: Metabolic effects of the neuroendocrine stress response. J Clin Anesthesiol6:1, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  41. Suslick KS: Ultrasound in synthesis. Mod Syn Meth4:1–60, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  42. Suslick KS, Flint EB: Sonoluminescence from non-aqueous liquids. Nature330(6148): 1987

  43. Suslick KS: Ultrasound: its chemical, physical and biological effects. City: VCH Publishers, Inc., 1988

  44. Tyson: Lecture to the doctors. UCLA, 1988

  45. Villa Rovira R, Guinot Madridejos A, Serra Renom JM: Fundamentos fisiopathologicos de la liposuccion. Reseumen historico. Chir Plast Ib Lat AmXI:283, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  46. Watts PL, Hall AJ, Fleming JEE: Ultrasound and chromosome damage. Br J Radiol45:335, 1972

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Zocchi M: Les implants mixtes de collagène autologue dans le remodelage facial. Rev Chir Esthet Lang Fr55(XIV):37–48, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  48. Zocchi M: Remodelage facial complet par implant mixtes de collagène autologue. J Med Esthet Chir DermXVI(63):191–201, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  49. Zocchi M: Methode de production de collagène autologue par traitement du tissue graisseux. J Med Esthet Chir DermXVII(66):Juin, 1990

  50. Zocchi M: La liposculpture aux ultra-sons. Actes du Congrès d'hiver de la Societè Francaise de Chirurgie Esthetique. Paris, Novembre 1990

  51. Zocchi M: Ultrasom lipo. Annals of the International Congress “Conesur” Porto Alegre Brazil, April, 1991

  52. Zocchi M: The ultrasonic liposculpturing. Annals of 28th Congress of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery. São Paulo, November 1991, p 148

  53. Zocchi M: The ultrasonic liposculpturing. Cirurgia Plastica, Ano 2, N. 4 Febrero de 1992, Caxias do Sul, Brazil, February, 1992

  54. Zocchi M: The ultrasonic liposculpturing. Abstracts of the ISAPS Congress, Guadalajara, February 1992

  55. Zocchi M: La liposculpture aux ultrasons. Rev Chir Esthet Lang Fr67(XVII):1992

  56. Zocchi M: The ultrasonic liposculpturing. Abstracts of the Xth International I.P.R.S. Congress, Madrid.II:743–746, 1992

  57. Zocchi M: Technique for producing autologous collagen by the treatment of the human fat tissue. Abstracts of the Xth International I.P.R.S. Congress, Madrid.II:753–755

  58. Zocchi M: Liposcultura ultrasonica. Edizioni Scientifiche Cortina. Torino, Sept. 1992

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Editors' note: The Editors have agreed that this paper is intriguing and deserves to be respectfully considered by readers of this journal. The Editors caution the readers, however, that the role of ultrasound in liposculpturing must be further evaluated in terms of its possible unexpected or unfavorable effects on tissues and/or organs adjacent to the fatty tissues being treated. Further followup studies by Dr. Zocchi, his colleagues, and others on such possible side effects are certainly to be encouraged!

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zocchi, M. Ultrasonic liposculpturing. Aesth. Plast. Surg. 16, 287–298 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01570690

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01570690

Key words

Navigation