Injection lipolysis for reduction of saddlebag trochanteric bulges ‐ half‐side controlled pilot study

BACKGROUND: Phosphatidylcholine, a lecithin extracted from soybeans can reduce serum cholesterol to some extent. Intravenous use may prevent fat embolism in polytrauma patients. When injected intralesionally in a formulation containing also deoxycholate and ethanol it is supposed to act as "fat burner" to reduce undesired fat deposits; there is little evidence-based scientific support for this indication. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the capability of phosphatidylcholine + deoxycholate + ethanol (PPC/DC/E) to reduce body fat with a half-side pilot study for the reduction of saddlebag trochanteric bulges. METHODS: PPC/DC/E was injected into the right posterior trochanteric areas three times at weeks 0, 3 and 6. Treatment areas and the same regions of the contralateral side as a control were evaluated by sonography. Tape measurements were taken and the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was measured with an optical device (Lipometer) at baseline and at week 8 and week 20 (2 and 14 weeks after completing therapy). RESULTS: In this half-side trial, no significant reduction of subcutaneous fat was achieved after three treatments with PPC/DC/E when compared to the untreated side.Transient inflammatory reactions occurred in all patients. LIMITATIONS: Only the commercially available formulation containing the three components was tested. CONCLUSION: The off-label use of PPC/DC/E as a "fat burner" did not produce measurable reduction of undesired trochanteric fat deposits.