A retrospective chart review of subdermal neck coagulation using helium plasma technology

Abstract

Background A helium‐based plasma technology has recently been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for cutting, coagulation, and ablation of soft tissue (Renuvion® System; Apyx™ Medical Corporation). As the safety of helium plasma for treating lax and sagging skin in the neck area has not been previously reported, the objectives of this study were to obtain safety results from helium plasma used for neck rejuvenation, to summarize subject and procedure variables, and to assess treatment outcomes for the development of future treatment protocols. Methods Two retrospective chart reviews were performed using data from patients who had undergone a helium plasma procedure in the neck area to assess safety (Study 1) and effect (Study 2). For Study 2, pre‐ and posttreatment images of treatment areas were assessed by blinded reviewers. Results In Study 1 (N = 15), two adverse events felt to be treatment‐related were noted. In Study 2 (N = 13), mean improvements included a 37.29% reduction in submental angle and reduction in the submental area. Conclusions Helium plasma technology appears to be a safe and well‐tolerated treatment. Consistent and reproducible tissue contraction in the submental and neck area was observed between the authors' sites.

Contractile Effects of Radiofrequency Energized Helium Plasma on the Fibrous Septal Network

“…Given interpatient variability in available FSN substrate, establishing clinical guidelines for consistent and predictable results is proving challenging. Recent single and multi-center chart reviews have demonstrated high patient satisfaction along with the safe and effective use of Renuvion® as an adjunct to enhance liposuction outcomes [21,29,30]. Consistent and reproductible soft tissue contraction was demonstrated even in the clinically challenging area of the neck area by subjective and quantitative analyses of before and after photographs [21].…”

“…It creates a direct discharge, non-equilibrium, low temperature plasma beam at atmospheric pressure as helium gas is passed over a sharp, conductive point held at high voltage and high frequency. The system consists of a RF generator, supply of helium gas and an electrode within the tip of a handpiece [21]. The generator operates at a maximum of 4.0 kV, 40 Watts and 490 kHz frequency [22].…”

“…Recent single and multi-center chart reviews have demonstrated high patient satisfaction along with the safe and effective use of Renuvion® as an adjunct to enhance liposuction outcomes [21,29,30]. Consistent and reproductible soft tissue contraction was demonstrated even in the clinically challenging area of the neck area by subjective and quantitative analyses of before and after photographs [21]. Current studies are underway attempting to quantify the amount of energy deposited as kilojoules delivered per area and correlate them with resulting changes in soft tissue laxity.…”

Enhanced Abdominal Contouring

“…Renuvion (Apyx Medical, Clearwater, FL, USA) combines radiofrequency energy and helium plasma to create subdermal tissue contraction. The device reaches the optimal temperature for subdermal tissue contraction (85°C) quickly with minimal thermal spread and cools to baseline temperatures in less than a second [40][41][42][43][44][45].…”

“…The advantages of the Renuvion system are decreased procedure times, decreased pain, and decreased risk of complications [39,[45][46][47][48][49]. The measured skin temperature rarely exceeds 38°C, leading to its increased safety profile.…”