Mini-liposuction machine to revolutionize chin lifts

Thae small,penn-shaped instrument was developed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. When Daniel Becker joined the Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery division of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania this month, he brought more than just his medical skills to the hospital -- he brought a new high-tech alternative to liposuction. Becker's invention, the "liposhaver," is a small, pen-shaped instrument which uses a miniature cutting blade to remove fat from under the chin. Although other hospitals have used the liposhaver in the past, the instrument will make it's HUP debut next Friday with Becker as the surgeon. And while Becker specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, he said the liposhaver could be used to remove fat from other parts of the body as well. He explained that the liposhaver is less damaging to a patient than liposuction. With liposuction, doctors "vigorously move" a suction tube back and forth under the chin to loosen and remove fat. This back and forth motion can cause bruising and damage tissue. But in surgery using the liposhaver, the patient is not exposed to this potentially damaging motion. Becker added that the liposhaver -- which he describes as as a "high-tech razor" -- is more precise than liposuction because surgeons are able to clearly see the area of fat they are removing. In liposuction, by contrast, the machine's large vacuum blocks the area under suctioning. "In liposuction, doctors put the tube in, ram it around and just feel," he said. With this lack of precision, surgeons who are not skilled in performing liposuction may not remove all of the fat deposits, leaving the skin looking "lumpy," he added. The liposhaver was successfully tested on 19 patients and was able to evenly shave the fat without causing facial nerve injury or increased bleeding during the operation. Additionally, the patients did not suffer any unusual or unexpected complications in the immediate post-operative period. "In the big picture, other discoveries are probably a lot more important," Becker said. "But, in a society where appearance does make a big difference, to make a desirable change for someone with a high degree of safety is a nice thing to be able to do." Becker devised the liposhaver two and a half years ago in collaboration with his teacher, University of Virginia Professor Charles Gross. The two had studied power instruments used in other aspects of surgery, and Becker describes the liposhaver as a "pleasant spinoff" of their work. Becker and Gross applied for a patent a year ago, and the liposhaver became widely available to plastic surgeons approximately six months ago. "When there is a new instrument and procedure, we want to work with it slowly in a controlled and careful way and develop the experience needed to advise others how to use it," Becker said. The liposhaver is a disposable instrument which is powered by a pre-existing machine at the hospital. The procedure costs approximately $1,500, which is similar to the price of liposuction. Results from the liposhaver's clinical trial were published in the November issue of Archives of Otolaryngology, and Becker said he has already received letters from "France and Hungary requesting the information on the article." "It's a great compliment when other people use it," Becker said.