Practical Guidance for Optimizing Patient Comfort During Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization and Improving Patient Satisfaction.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V; Ultherapy®) is an effective method for correction of skin laxity through lifting and tightening skin on the face, neck, and décolleté as well as on other parts of the body such as the knees, arms, and abdomen. In addition to being a noninvasive modality for tissue tightening, MFU-V has a biological effect on tissue, rejuvenating the skin through stimulation of elastogenesis and neocollagenesis. MFU-V is also commonly combined with other interventions such as fillers, neuromodulators, and absorbable suspension sutures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to share the extensive experience of the authors in optimizing comfort for their MFU-V patients in order to provide guidance to the broader community surrounding optimal patient comfort with this procedure. METHODS: The authors discuss their approaches to patient comfort and satisfaction. Elements of each approach include patient selection, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic comfort measures, and how prioritization of patient comfort affects both their individual patients and practices. RESULTS: The authors share their approaches for optimizing patient comfort during the procedure and provide an overview of both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic measures that can be adopted to support patient comfort and satisfaction. The similarities and differences of each approach are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to diligent patient selection, the authors find that attention to patient comfort is directly related to satisfaction and appears to be a primary factor in patients' decisions to return for additional treatments.