Subcutaneous Fat Reduction with Injected Ice Slurry

BACKGROUND:Cryolipolysis is a non-invasive method for removal of subcutaneous fat for body contouring. Conventional cryolipolysis with topical cooling requires extracting heat from subcutaneous fat by conduction across the skin, thus limiting the amount and the location of the fat removed. We hypothesized that local injection of a physiologic ice slurry directly into target adipose tissue would lead to more efficient and effective cryolipolysis. METHODS:Injectable slurries containing 20% and 40% ice content were made using common parenteral agents (normal saline and glycerol), then locally injected into the subcutaneous fat of swine. Ultrasound imaging, photography, histological and gross tissue responses were monitored before and periodically up to 8 weeks after injection. RESULTS:Fat loss occurred gradually over several weeks following a single ice slurry injection. There was an obvious and significant 55 ± 6% reduction in adipose tissue thickness compared to control sites injected with the same volume of melted slurry (p