Helium Plasma Driven Radiofrequency for Neck Lifting: A Dual Center Prospective Study Evaluating Safety and Efficacy

Goals/Purpose: While SAL of the submental and submandibular neck offers adipose reduction, little improvement is noted in cases with overlying skin laxity. The addition of helium plasma driven radiofrequency energy can add significant skin and soft tissue contraction when utilized in a safe and effective manner. Twenty adult female patients were treated in this dual center prospective IRB
supervised clinical trial to determine the safety of the combination treatment. Primary endpoints were monitoring the presence of complications. A secondary endpoint was evaluation of efficacy and patient satisfaction.

Methods/Technique: . Twenty female volunteers at two IRB approved investigational sites underwent either suction assisted lipectomy or subcutaneous tunneling following subdermal injection of tumescent fluid in the submental, submandibular, and suprasternal neck. Three small access ports were created at the earlobe and submental crease. Helium plasma driven radiofrequency was used to tighten the adipose stroma. Patients were assessed at 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Ultrasound images as well as 2D and 3D photos were taken. Clinical assessment was used to check for blisters, burns, and clinical ischemia. Clinical and photographic evidence of marginal mandibular nerve weakness was evaluated at the same time points. Patient satisfaction surveys and therapy comfort questionnaires correlated with the 5 point Likert scale.

Results/Complications: No patient was noted to have any evidence of a burn or post-treatment blistering. There were no findings of ischemia in the treatment zone. No patient had marginal mandibular nerve palsy. Clinical improvement increased over time as expected with this type of approach. 85% of patients were either satisfied or strongly satisfied with the degree of improvement. 15% noted that improvement was mild. No patient felt she looked worse following treatment. Ultrasound showed that subcutaneous collagen content increased diffusely with no focal fibrosis. Improvement in cervicomental angle, submandibular shadow definition, and submental fullness were documented with photographs and soft tissue thickness measurements.

Conclusion: RF assisted necklifts using helium plasma driven energy showed high patient satisfaction as well as treatment comfort. Subdermal application of helium plasma driven radiofrequency following liposuction or subcutaneous tunneling is a safe and effective method of improving mild to moderate neck laxity.