Vaser

VASER [is the trade name for an ultrasound-assisted liposuction system that uses sound waves to selectively emulsify (liquefy) fatty tissue prior to extraction from the body. By emulsifying targeted fat cells, VASER technology allows physicians to perform fat extraction with less tearing of the surrounding tissues, thus reducing blood loss, pain and bruising. Studies comparing VASER Lipo with traditional tumescent liposuction and earlier generations of UAL show reduced post-operative pain and improved patient recovery.
VASER, which stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance, received FDA clearance for body contouring in 2002. The system is currently used by plastic and cosmetic surgeons in the U.S. and internationally for a variety of fat-extraction applications. Because the VASER Lipo system combines precise tissue selectivity with high volume efficacy (up to 7 liters of fat removal), physicians use it both for small, delicate areas like the chin and neck, as well as large areas such as the back, chest and abdomen.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) techniques used in the 1980s and 1990s were associated with cases of tissue damage, usually from excessive exposure to ultrasound energy. The VASER system, a third-generation UAL device, prevents this problem by using pulsed energy delivery and a specialized probe design that allows physicians to safely remove excess fat. No serious complications have been reported in more than 70,000 procedures. Patient outcomes are reported ranging from good to excellent in a variety of clinical studies conducted between 2000 and 2006.
History
Researchers began developing the VASER Lipo system in the mid-1990s in response to the limitations of traditional liposuction and problems associated with early-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL). The researchers focused on alternative probe design and pulsed delivery of sound energy to effectively treat targeted adipose tissue with reduced power levels. Their goal was to find an ideal system for efficient fat fragmentation with minimal tissue damage.
Researcher Dr. William W. Cimino founded Sound Surgical Technologies LLC in Lafayette, Colorado in 1998 to develop and manufacture VASER technology systems. After extensive clinical evaluations over a period of several years, the VASER System received FDA clearance for body contouring in September 2002. It has since been used in more than 70,000 procedures worldwide with no serious complications, and is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional liposuction.
Advantages
Medical researchers have reported a number of advantages VASER Lipo provides in comparison with traditional suction-assisted liposuction and earlier generations of ultrasound-assisted liposuction:
*No complications, burns, contour irregularities or prolonged swelling in a study of 77 patients, no revisions needed in a multi-center pilot study
*No serious complications reported related to VASER technology in more than 70,000 procedures
*In most cases, VASER Lipo can be performed without general anesthesia, which reduces risk for patients and allows quicker recovery
*Specially designed skin ports prevent damage to the skin incision sites
*Able to differentiate between fat and surrounding tissue
*Small access incisions 3 - 4 mm
*VASER Lipo is particularly advantageous for tight, fibrous areas such as the back and posterior flanks, areas where increased blood loss would be expected
Mechanism
Sound energy is transmitted through small probes, between 2.2 and 3.7 mm wide, with special grooves that rapidly vibrate. This ultrasound energy breaks the cellular membrane and releases the lipid content without causing the release of fatty acids from the triglyceride molecular structure, so the remaining tissue is not damaged. The VASER system is selective enough that it can emulsify only the fat, while preserving other important tissue structures. Specially designed cannulae then evacuate the emulsified fat while causing minimal trauma to the tissue matrix.
Suitability
VASER Lipo is suited for patients who are in good general health. It is not suitable for patients with diabetes, weakened immune systems, heart or lung disease, or a history of blood clots. VASER Lipo is not a weight loss procedure and is best suited for treating specific areas that do not respond to changes in diet and exercise.
VASER Lipo is suitable for patients undergoing both small and large-volume fat removal, and for fat removal in tight, fibrous areas such as the back and posterior flanks. and for men who suffer from gynecomastia (male breast development). Patients on blood thinning drugs such as Warfarin can not be treated.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu