“Acne can have lasting effects on a patient’s self-esteem, especially when we are limited in our ability to permanently treat the resulting scars,” said study investigator Ava Shamban, M.D. “Artefill is a great solution for my regular filler patients who want to correct facial wrinkles with natural, long-lasting results and we are optimistic about its effectiveness with this new patient population.”

According to the American Dermatology Association, acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting 40 million to 50 million Americans. By mid-teens, more than 40 percent of adolescents have acne or acne scarring, which requires treatment by a dermatologist. Studies have reported the incidence of acne scarring in the general population to be 1 to 11 percent[1].

“Acne scarring impacts patients both physically and emotionally as it’s a direct reminder of the issues that affected them during their earlier years.  However, there is no permanent solution on the market today to address this widespread cosmetic issue. We believe Artefill’s unique composition may provide these patients a real solution for what many thought would be a lifelong problem,” commented Nicholas Teti, Chairman and CEO of Suneva Medical. He continued, “We are pleased to be working with a strong and prominent group of investigators on this trial as we look to expand the indications for Artefill.”

Approved in 2006, Artefill is a long-lasting, dermal filler. It is composed of bovine collagen and unique microspheres and includes lidocaine for improved patient comfort. This distinct formulation offers patients long-lasting wrinkle correction. To date over 30,000 patients have been treated.

The ASPS study showed that 1.1 million men underwent cosmetic procedures in 2010.  Economist assume the aging baby boomer generation is the boost the cosmetic and plastic surgeons need.  Dr. Tenley Lawton, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Newport Beach, Calif. sees the trend affecting her business as well.”I have seen more men than ever before within the last 18 months.

Here in Orange County, the capital of beautiful people, men feel the pressure to look young and feel their best,” Dr. Lawton says.Among 1,000 men who underwent a procedure, the fastest growing areas of enhancement include facelifts up 14% from 2009, Ear Surgery up 11%, Fillers/Botox up 9-10%, Liposuction up 7%, and Breast Reduction up 6%.  Dr. Lawton offers years of experience and a variety of procedures geared towards men including rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, liposuction, mens breast reduction, facelifts and more.

In a limited pre-launch phase started in September 2011, a select group of leading plastic and reconstructive surgeons performed over 80 plastic surgery procedures with TissuGlu.

“I am very excited for the benefits that TissuGlu will bring not only to the patients in my practice, but to plastic and reconstructive surgeons worldwide performing large-flap plastic surgery procedures,” said Professor Axel-Mario Feller, an internationally renowned leader in reconstructive breast surgery based in Munich, Germany. “By reducing fluid accumulation and shortening time to drain removal, patient satisfaction and outcomes will be improved and costs of care will be reduced.”

During the pre-launch, the clinical experience from using TissuGlu was shared during the OGPARC/DGPRAC/VDAPC Congress in Innsbruck, Austria, an international meeting held in late-September, attended by over 800 plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Cohera Medical also sponsored a scientific symposium that generated significant visibility and interest in the product. The resulting discussion also highlighted the potential for TissuGlu to play an important role in surgeries beyond the aesthetic field.

“The reaction to TissuGlu among the top plastic surgeons in Germany has been great.  Initial uptake by many of the most respected plastic surgeons have exceeded our initial forecast during this portion of our launch,” said Patrick Daly, President and CEO of Cohera Medical. “Our focus continues to be on excellent patient outcomes and expanding the number of surgeons who utilize TissuGlu.  We look forward to continuing the rollout in additional European markets in 2012.”

Currently, most patients who undergo abdominoplasty and other flap procedures require the insertion of drains to remove fluids that accumulate under the skin at the surgical site. In some cases, drainage is inadequate and the excess fluid accumulation (seroma) often requires additional procedures for removal. TissuGlu adheres the tissue flap to the underlying tissue (which is created during the procedure) to reduce fluid that can accumulate in the space and ultimately reduce the time to drain removal. With the use of TissuGlu, patients may have drains removed faster, which may lead to a more comfortable recovery and a quicker return to normal activity.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the global market for cosmetic surgery and treatments now exceeds $30 billion, with a sustainable compound annual growth rate in the range of 25%. In Europe, the market for cosmetic surgery is about$2.2 billion with a compound annual growth rate of 19% (Frost & Sullivan), and total sales of wound closure devices are expected to reach approximately $740 million in 2012 (Medtech Insight).

“I am pleased with the continued recognition that Ellman’s technology provides outstanding results for patients undergoing surgical procedures and for patients experiencing non-ablative skin tightening with the Pelleve Wrinkle Reduction System.  As evidenced by the scientific presentations at these meetings, it is clear that many of the top physicians worldwide have chosen Ellman products for their practice,” commented Rick Epstein, President and CEO of Ellman International.

About ASOPRS: Held in Orlando, Florida October 21-22, 2011, the annual meeting is the society’s premier event of the year. It featured a presentation by Scott Goldstein, MD of the Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia, PA measuring eye area surface temperatures when using Pelleve for skin rejuvenation around the eyes. His results found that the treatment did not significantly increase the eye temperature, providing further evidence of Pelleve’s impressive safety record.

A subsequent presentation by Reynaldo Javate, MD, of the University of Santo Tomas Hospital in Manila, Philippines focused on the use of the Pelleve System for treatment of wrinkles around the eyes.  The results of the study demonstrated an average increase of 2.1 mm of eyebrow lift immediately after treatment and 3.5 mm after eight weeks.  Dr. Javate concluded that treatment with Pelleve produces quantifiable brow elevation and improvement in wrinkles around the eyes.

About EADV: The meeting on October 20- 24 in Lisbon, Portugal boasted a remarkable standing room only turnout for featured presentations by Robert Tucker, MD, PhD Lisa Chipps, MD, Igor Jeremic, MD and Miodrag Milojevic, MD, PhD.

Robert Tucker, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Pathology and Adjunct Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering from theUniversity of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa, presented a study using the versatile Pelleve Generator for both surgical and non-ablative skin tightening applications.  Through histological examination, he demonstrated that surgical cutting with the Ellman generator results in less thermal damage to tissue that other commonly used generators. He also demonstrated that the new Pelleve GlideSafe handpieces allow for effective treatment of facial wrinkles with uniform heating over a large area.

Lisa Chipps, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, examined 49 men and women of varying skin types with moderate to severe wrinkles on the face and neck. Each patient received two treatments, spaced one month apart.  After 4 months, 85 percent of the patients reported that they were satisfied with their results. Patients reported an improvement in elasticity, smoothness and brightness of skin.

Igor Jeremic, MD from Dermatology Center, Belgrade, Serbia presented results from Pelleve treatment on 1,000 patients, treating the face and neck areas.  He demonstrated the results with impressive before and after photographs and concluded that Pelleve gives patients a more rested and radiant look, improved skin hydration, smoothed wrinkles, enhanced cheek tone, significantly lifted eyelids, and improved neck wrinkles and sagging.

Miodrag Milojevic, MD, PhD also from Dermatology Center, Belgrade, Serbia highlighted the unique surgical capabilities of the Ellman Surgitron Systems by reporting on 100 male and female patients treated for giant condyloma.  After surgical excision with the Ellman generator, there was no recurrence in 90% and no scarring in 100% of the patients.

Adam D. Schaffner, M.D., F.A.C.S., Director of Plastic Surgery at the renowned JUVA Skin & Laser Center in New York, predicts that these findings will have a positive impact on patients outlook towards this type of procedure and will result in them looking better and being physically healthier as well.”Not only does this new research offer positive side effects for those who undergo a liposuction procedure, but it also sheds some light on the fact that subcutaneous fat that lies under the skin has more of an affect on cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk than we had originally thought,” said Dr. Schaffner.The study, which is being presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons ASPS this weekend, measured triglyceride and cholesterol levels in 322 patients undergoing liposuction and/or a tummy tuck.

The majority of patients, 71 percent, had liposuction only. Triglyceride levels in patients with normal pre-operative levels were unchanged. However, those patients with elevated, at-risk levels greater than or equal to 150 mg/dl experienced an average 43 percent reduction in triglyceride levels after surgery – about twice the effect achieved with a drug commonly prescribed to reduce triglyceride levels. The effect was similar in both men and women. According to the author, this does not mean liposuction can replace medications in patients with very high triglyceride levels.

“Liposuction has long been considered a purely cosmetic procedure but this study has found that white blood cell counts decrease, on average, 11 percent after liposuction,” said Dr. Bruce Katz, Director of JUVA Skin & Laser Center and pioneer of SmartLipo.  ”High white blood cell counts are associated with a raised level of inflammation within the body and have been linked to coronary heart disease, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.  This suggests that liposuction may translate into a procedure that has the ability to reduce a patients health risk.”

According to ASPS, more than 203,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the US in 2010.The study, “Prospective Clinical Study Reveals Significant Reduction in Triglyceride Level and White Cell Count after Liposuction and Abdominoplasty and No Change in Cholesterol Levels,” is being presented Sunday, September 25, 10:15 a.m., at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

“Stem cell-enriched autologous fat is a safe and sustainable bioimplant ideally suited for local anesthesia natural, scarless breast augmentation and body shaping,” says Viennese esthetic and regenerative stem cell therapy expert DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich, Europe’s first doctor offering this therapy. At Clinic DDr. Heinrich® he helps women from all around the world gain larger breasts, harmonious body contours, and a more youthful face with stem cell-enriched autologous fat.

Along with presentations by researchers on the latest findings on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) and their esthetic applications, the conference provided experts with ample opportunities for professional interaction. Thus DDr. Heinrich discussed his experiences with adipose-derived stem cells and potential future applications with Japan’s Prof. Dr. Yoshimura, Prof. Dr. Illouz, and Dr. Berman.

Doctors all agreed that stem cell enrichment substantially improves long-term sustainability of tissue implanted in autologous fat transfers. Also discussed was the greater safety of esthetic therapies with autologous stem cells over procedures under general anesthesia thanks to gentle local anesthesia.

In addition to stem cell-assisted breast augmentation, stem cells obtained from autologous fat deposits form the foundation for other future-oriented esthetic treatments. For instance, DDr. Heinrich also uses stem cell-enriched autologous fat for sustainable body shaping (e.g., buttocks augmentation), correcting tissue defects, skin rejuvenation over the whole body, and stem-cell facelifts.