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SMRF, MFU-V yield similar outcomes in neck laxity, patient satisfaction

Subsurface monopolar radiofrequency and microfocused ultrasound with visualization were associated with comparable outcomes in patients undergoing treatment for moderate neck skin laxity.

The analysis included 20 patients randomly assigned either subsurface monopolar radiofrequency (SMRF) or microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V).

The investigators assessed Neck Laxity Grade at days 0, 30, 90 and 180. Results indicated that in the SMRF group, the grades were 2.7 at 0 days, 2.1 at 30 days, 1.6 at 90 days and 0.86 at 180 days. For the MFU-V group, those grades were 2.8 at 0 days, 2.4 at 30 days, 1.5 at 90 days and 1.4 at 180 days.

The researchers noted that both interventions yielded significant decreases in this outcome by day 90, and that this trend persisted through day 180.

A similar decreasing trend was reported for patient-assessed outcomes, according to the findings. In the SMRF group, significant decreases were observed at day 90 for laxity or sagging skin (P = .0291), and at day 180 for firmness (P = .0207) and texture (P = .0017).

By day 30 in the MFU-V group, firmness (P = .0116), texture (P = .0004), and laxity or sagging skin (P = .0049) significantly decreased on patient self-assessment.

Patient satisfaction scores at day 180 were 2.57 for SMRF and 2.1 for the MFU-V groups, which the researchers noted were statistically similar (P = .5). No patient in either group reported being “not satisfied” with the intervention they had been assigned.

Other findings showed that while adverse events were predominantly mild and transient, patients in the MFU-V arm reported more procedural pain. – by Rob Volansky

Disclosures: Jones reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.