Reproducibility of Heel Ultrasound Measurement in Prepubescent Children

Abstract Background Ultrasonic measurement has not been utilized to assess the functional recovery of transplanted muscle. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using B-ultrasound measurement to assess muscle recovery following free functioning gracilis transfer. Methods From January 2009 to January 2014, 35 patients receiving free functioning gracilis transfer to treat total brachial plexus injury were enrolled. B-ultrasound was adopted to determine the cross-sectional area (CSA) of transplanted gracilis muscle at rest and contraction state. The ratio of pre- to post-transplant CSA value at rest state was defined as muscle bulk ratio (MBR). The ratio of CSA value at contraction state to rest state was defined as contraction ratio (CR). Results Patients with muscle strength M ≥ 4 had significantly higher CR1 (post-transplant), CR2 (pre-transplant), and range of motion (ROM, joint mobility) than those with muscle strength M < 4. The CR1 > CR2 group had significantly higher CR1, muscle strength, and ROM than the CR1 ≤ CR2 group. The MBR > 1 group had significantly higher muscle strength than the MBR ≤ 1 group. CR1 value was highly correlated with muscle strength and with ROM. CR2 value was moderately correlated with muscle strength and ROM. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that a higher CR1/CR2 value was associated with a higher muscle strength and joint mobility. The CR1 > CR2 group had better muscle strength and ROM than the CR1 ≤ CR2 groups. Conclusion B-ultrasound measurement can quantitatively reflect muscle strength following gracilis transfer, and CR value could be a potential indicator for functional recovery of the transplanted gracilis muscle. Level of Evidence: Prognostic studies, Level II.

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Abdominal Laser Lipolysis Using a Microprocessor-Controlled Robotic Arm with Non-Contact Heating and Cooling

Aesthetic Surgery Journal ◽

10.1093/asj/sjab206 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas Fiala

Keyword(s):

Cooling System ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Treatment Protocol ◽

Abdominal Fat ◽

Abdominal Circumference ◽

Ordinal Scale ◽

Robotic Arm ◽

Ultrasound Measurement ◽

Fat Thickness ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background A novel FDA-cleared device uses a 1064 nm laser to non-invasively induce apoptosis for lipolysis of subcutaneous abdominal fat while maintaining comfortable skin temperatures with a proprietary jet cooling system (eon ®, Dominion Aesthetic Technologies, Inc.; San Antonio, TX). A programmable articulated robotic arm moves the treatment head without any subject contact, maintaining an appropriate three-dimensional treatment path, compensating for patient movement. Objectives The goal of this prospective, single center, open-label study was to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of this device for reducing subcutaneous abdominal fat using an updated power delivery curve. Methods Male and female subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI (N=26) were treated. Four abdominal zones up to 150 cm 2 each, customized in size and location for body habitus were treated. Each zone underwent a single 20-minute treatment session. Follow-up visits occurred after 6 and 12 weeks. Using a standardized protocol, ultrasound measurement of subcutaneous abdominal fat thickness, abdominal circumference, reported patient satisfaction and digital images were obtained. Results The mean treatment area was 378.5 cm 2. At Week 12, there was a 21.6% mean reduction in abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness and a 4.1-cm (1.6-inch) mean reduction in abdominal circumference. Most subjects (84.6%) were satisfied or very satisfied with their results. The mean pain score was 2.5 on an 11-point ordinal scale. There were no non-responders. Only two adverse events were noted: mild transient erythema (n=1, 3.8%) and localized subcutaneous firmness (n=1, 3.8%) which resolved without intervention within 12 weeks. Conclusions This contact-free device is safe and effective for reducing subcutaneous abdominal fat and represents an improvement on the prior treatment protocol.

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