12.5 Sensory anesthesia

Sensory anesthesia and, to some extent, dysaesthesia is more common with thermal lipocoagulation that non thermal lipoplasty and the during of recovery is longer (more like flap elevation). The reason for the more significant anesthesia is the effect of thermal coagulation resulting in a demyelinating effect of the sensory nerves, but generally 95% of patients get 95% return of sensation.

## 12.6 Injury to deeper structures

A good working knowledge of the anatomy of the region treated with the BodyTite® applicators will minimize deep internal thermal coagulation of sensitive vascular or neural structures. The most common reported injuries following BodyTite® when looking the worldwide literature would be damage to the antebrachial nerve of the upper arm and typically there's a normal return of sensation, but occasionally permanent anesthesia can occur. Damage to motor nerves should not occur if one performs the RFAL in the correct subcutaneous plane. After 10 years of FaceTite® and AccuTite® to the face and neck, the author does not have a single case of permanent weakness of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve. Because of the thermal containment of the bipolar RFAL, there is little to no heat below the internal electrode, which, when passed above the SMAS, platysma, orbicularis oculi and other facial

muscles, the facial nerve is safe. Temporary neuropraxia of the marginal mandibular branch can occur, but this is typically from traction following aspiration and not a thermal injury.
