Alternative Treatment Modality Research Articles

Anxiety correlates with excessive air swallowing and PPI refractoriness in patients with concomitant symptoms of GERD and functional dyspepsia.

Anxiety may exacerbate GERD and FD symptoms perception and reduce quality of life. As many as 50% of patients with GERD symptoms have incomplete relief with PPI therapy, and psychological factors may influence PPI responsiveness. The potential relationship between anxiety, excessive air swallowing, and PPI responsiveness was evaluated. GERD patients with concomitant FD were prospectively evaluated. Validated structured questionnaires were used to evaluate anxiety, GERD, and FD symptoms. All patients were treated, within the previous year, with at least 8 weeks of standard dose PPI therapy. One hundred sixty-one patients were included. Frequency of non-responders in patients with moderate/severe anxiety was significantly higher compared to patients with mild anxiety (62.7% vs. 37.3%, p < 0.01). Patients with moderate/severe anxiety displayed a significantly higher mean FD symptoms score value compared to patients with mild anxiety. A significantly higher mean number of air swallows were observed in patients with moderate/severe anxiety. At ROC analysis, air swallows and mixed reflux episodes were significantly associated with the presence of PPI refractoriness (AUC: 0.725, 95% CI: 0.645-0.805 and 0.768, 0.692-0.843). According to univariate analysis, an abnormal number of air swallows, mixed reflux episodes and presence of moderate/severe anxiety was significantly associated with PPI refractoriness. Our results, if confirmed in in a larger, prospective clinical and therapeutic study, demonstrate the usefulness of an up-front evaluation with anxiety questionnaire and esophageal testing in patients with a broad spectrum of upper gastrointestinal symptoms who fail to respond to PPI treatment, supporting the option of alternative treatment modalities.

The risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with T2 colon cancer.

It is often safe to treat pT1 tumours with local resection due to the low risk of lymph node metastasis. The risk of lymph node metastasis in pT2 colon cancer is less well investigated. The recommendation for patients diagnosed with T2 colon cancer is a segmental resection including regional lymph nodes. The aim of this work was to determine the risk of lymph node metastasis in pT2 colon cancer and identify the possible associated clinical and pathological risk factors for lymph node metastasis. PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for studies describing patients with T2 colon cancer and lymph node status after histopathological assessment. Lymph node metastasis and the effect of histological and clinical factors were included. Overall, 5489 studies were screened, and 10 studies consisting of a total of 91 460 patients were included in the review. The overall risk of lymph node metastasis was 19.3% (95% confidence interval 19.0%-19.5%). A meta-analysis was not possible as very few studies described the clinical and pathological risk factors for lymph node metastasis. The risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with pT2 colon cancers is higher than for pT1. The studies included patients operated on from 1985 to 2015 with variations in surgical procedure, pathological handling, and definition of lymph node metastasis. Further studies reporting risk factors for lymph node metastasis in pT2 colon cancer are warranted as more data are needed to determine if local resection for a subgroup of patients could be an alternative treatment modality.

Comparing the Outcomes of Conventional Coronectomy and Graft Coronectomy: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Coronectomy is a widely accepted alternative surgical treatment modality in which only the crown of an impacted tooth is removed, leaving the roots and their associated nerve untouched. Uncertainty remains regarding whether intraoperative bone grafting of the coronectomy socket can reduce the incidence of typical postoperative procedure-related complications. Objective: The purpose of this literature review is to compare the outcomes of conventional coronectomy (CC) and grafted coronectomy (GC) in terms of whether adding a bone graft material after coronectomy of impacted mandibular third molars would decrease the incidence of typical complications. Methods: A total of 13 cases identified from electronic databases were included in this review based on their clinical relevance. Results: In general, there were no significant differences between conventional coronectomy and grafted coronectomy regarding the incidence of postoperative morbidities. However, grafted coronectomy with the placement of a bone graft material in the coronectomy socket could significantly decrease the incidence of root migration requiring re-operation of the exposed roots and reduce the preexisting pocket depth distal to the 2nd molar, especially in patients with mesioangular, impacted or horizontal wisdom teeth. Conclusion: According to the existing literature, grafted coronectomy might offer better clinical outcomes and can minimize the typical procedure-related drawbacks of conventional coronectomy while having similar surgical morbidities.

Can Measuring the 'Dual Anchors of Aorta' Enhance the Success Rate of TAVR?-A Single-Center Experience.

Chronic severe aortic regurgitation (AR) has a poor long-term prognosis, especially among old-age patients. Considering their advancing age, the surgical approach of aortic valve replacement may not always be the best alternative modality of treatment in such patients. Therefore, this study's primary goal was to provide an initial summary of the medium- and short-term clinical effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) guided by accurate multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) measurements in patients with severe and chronic AR, especially in elderly patients. The study enrolled retrospectively and prospectively patients diagnosed with severe AR who eventually underwent TAVR procedure from January 2019 to September 2022 at Fuwai cardiovascular Hospital, Beijing. Baseline information, MDCT measurements, anatomical classification, perioperative, and 1-year follow-up outcomes were collected and analyzed. Based on a novel anatomical categorization and dual anchoring theory, patients were divided into four categories according to the level of anchoring area. Type 1, 2, and 3 patients (with at least two anchoring regions) will receive TAVR with a transcatheter heart valve (THV), but Type 4 patients (with zero or one anchoring location) will be deemed unsuitable for TAVR and will instead receive medical care (retrospectively enrolled patients who already underwent TAVR are an exception). The mean age of the 37 patients with severe chronic AR was 73.1 ± 8.7 years, and 23 patients (62.2%) were male. The American Association of Thoracic Surgeons' score was 8.6 ± 2.1%. The MDCT anatomical classification included 17 cases of type 1 (45.9%), 3 cases of type 2 (8.1%), 13 cases of type 3 (35.1%), and 4 cases of Type 4 (10.8%). The VitaFlow valve (MicroPort, Shanghai, China) was implanted in 19 patients (51.3%), while the Venus A valve (Venus MedTech, Hangzhou, China) was implanted in 18 patients (48.6%). Immediate TAVR procedural and device success rates were 86.5% and 67.6%, respectively, while eight cases (21.6%) required THV-in-THV implantation, and nine cases (24.3%) required permanent pacemaker implantation. Univariate regression analysis revealed that the major factors affecting TAVR device failure were sinotubular junction diameter, THV type, and MDCT anatomical classification (p < 0.05). Compared with the baseline, the left ventricular ejection fraction gradually increased, while the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter remained small, and the N-terminal-pro hormone B-type natriuretic peptide level significantly decreased within one year. According to the results of our study, TAVR with a self-expanding THV is safe and feasible for patients with chronic severe AR, particularly for those who meet the criteria for the appropriate MDCT anatomical classification with intact dual aortic anchors, and it has a significant clinical effect for at least a year.

Phage Therapy as an Alternative Treatment Modality for Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections

The production and use of antibiotics increased significantly after the Second World War due to their effectiveness against bacterial infections. However, bacterial resistance also emerged and has now become an important global issue. Those most in need are typically high-risk and include individuals who experience burns and other wounds, as well as those with pulmonary infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter sp, and Staphylococci. With investment to develop new antibiotics waning, finding and developing alternative therapeutic strategies to tackle this issue is imperative. One option remerging in popularity is bacteriophage (phage) therapy. This review focuses on Staphylococcus aureus and how it has developed resistance to antibiotics. It also discusses the potential of phage therapy in this setting and its appropriateness in high-risk people, such as those with cystic fibrosis, where it typically forms a biofilm.

Plant Medicine Healing! Discovering the Roots of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Mental Health

Roughly over 700 million individuals suffer from a mental illness globally. In the United States alone, over 45 million individuals are afflicted with a mental disorder at any given point in their lives. It is because of this that new methods of current therapies should be considered. To date, major depression disorder (MAD), anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). While current treatment shows some effectiveness, there are many negative and unfavorable side effects in addition to effectiveness being short in duration. Currently, researchers have discovered the substantial benefits of utilizing psychedelic drugs under a controlled environment. Research has demonstrated favorable outcomes in the use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) to treat many of these mental health disorders. PAP is the supervised use of psychedelic drugs such as MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, and Ketamine by psychiatrists to patients as part of psychotherapy. Under supervision, patients ingest a psychedelic drug consisting as part of the psychotherapeutic process. Combined with talk therapy, patients are observed for a therapeutic reaction. The three mental disorders that will be highlighted in this paper include MAD, anxiety, and PTSD. The psychedelic drugs featured in this paper include psilocybin, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), ayahuasca, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Naturalistic psychedelic use demonstrates to have astounding and fast results in mental health disorders. A cross-sectional online survey-based study conducted confirms these findings in a cohort of psychedelic users with mental health disorders. The goal of this study is to shed light on the new and alternative treatment modalities to treat mental health illnesses. Psychedelics are the new promise to the field of psychiatry and that spark of promise falls under the umbrella of psychedelic drugs. Psychedelics serve as new tools for curtailing psychotherapy.

Complementary and alternative therapy for hypertension

Hypertension is pronounced as silent killer and it is a first in account of death due to non communicable diseases all over the world. The researcher aimed to configurate the complementary and alternative treatment modalities for hypertension in a view. With help of various research studies carried out recently, the present article researcher designed the article.

Diode Laser in the Treatment of FoliatePapillitis

The tongue consists of various kinds of papillae which forms its characteristic morphology. These are the filiform papillae, the fungiform papillae, the circumvallate, and the foliate papillae. The foliate papillae may become enlarged and inflamed causing a condition called asFoliate Papillitis. The treatment of this disease includes relieving all causes of trauma to the region. We present a new modality of treatment for this condition by using diode laser of 980nm. Here we report on two patients with foliate papillitis. Both these patients were treated conservatively but experienced only temporary relief from pain. We used diode laser of 980 nm for their treatment and they experienced significant reduction in their pain levels. Since there is not much published literature on Foliate Papillitis or on use of lasers to treat this condition, this is being presented as an alternative treatment for patients who have foliate papillitis and do not get relief from conservative methods. At one year follow-up, both the patients were free of symptoms. We believe this is the first time that diode laser has been used for the treatment of foliate papillitis. Diode laser appears to be a good alternative treatment modality for the treatment for patients with foliate papillitis.

Blood glucose control with different treatment regimens in type 2 diabetes patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection: A retrospective study.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is closely associated with hyperglycemia and a worse prognosis in patients with a previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A few studies investigated the effects of diabetes treatment regimens in these patients during hospitalization. Here, we evaluate the impact of insulin and non-insulin therapy on glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes admitted with COVID-19. This is a retrospective study including 359 COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to diabetes treatment during hospitalization. The first group included patients treated with insulin only, and the second group patients treated with other antidiabetic agents with or without insulin. Average blood glucose was higher in the insulin-only treatment group (201 ± 66 mg/dL vs 180 ± 71 mg/dL, P = .004), even after excluding mechanically ventilated patients (192 ± 69 vs 169 ± 59 mg/dL, P = .003). In patients with moderate severity of COVID-19, average blood glucose was also significantly higher in the insulin-only treated group (197 ± 76 vs 168 ± 51 mg/dL, P = .001). Most patients (80%) in the combination treatment group received metformin. Moderately affected COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes could safely be treated with antihyperglycemic medications with or without insulin.

Bioengineering and Clinical Translation of Human Lung and its Components.

Clinical lung transplantation has rapidly established itself as the gold standard of treatment for end-stage lung diseases in a restricted group of patients since the first successful lung transplant occurred. Although significant progress has been made in lung transplantation, there are still numerous obstacles on the path to clinical success. The development of bioartificial lung grafts using patient-derived cells may serve as an alternative treatment modality; however, challenges include developing appropriate scaffold materials, advanced culture strategies for lung-specific multiple cell populations, and fully matured constructs to ensure increased transplant lifetime following implantation. This review highlights the development of tissue-engineered tracheal and lung equivalents over the past two decades, key problems in lung transplantation in a clinical environment, the advancements made in scaffolds, bioprinting technologies, bioreactors, organoids, and organ-on-a-chip technologies. The review aims to fill the lacuna in existing literature toward a holistic bioartificial lung tissue, including trachea, capillaries, airways, bifurcating bronchioles, lung disease models, and their clinical translation. Herein, the efforts are on bridging the application of lung tissue engineering methods in a clinical environment as it is thought that tissue engineering holds enormous promise for overcoming the challenges associated with the clinical translation of bioengineered human lung and its components.

Surgical Treatment of Prolactinomas: Potential Role as a First-Line Treatment Modality.

Treatment with dopamine agonists (DAs) has been the first-line standard treatment for prolactinoma, and surgery has been reserved for drug intolerance and resistance for several decades. We evaluated whether surgery plays a primary role in prolactinoma management. We conducted a retrospective study of 210 prolactinoma patients who had received surgical treatment at our institution. We analyzed the treatment outcomes according to tumor extent, sex, and preoperative DA medication. Overall hormonal remission was achieved in 164 patients (78.1%), and complete removal was achieved in 194 patients (92.4%). When the tumors were completely removed, the remission rate increased to 84.5%. Anterior pituitary function was normalized or improved in 94.6% of patients, whereas only 4.1% of patients showed worsening of hormone control. Hormonal remission was higher in patients who had not received DA preoperatively than in those who had received preoperative DA treatment. Smaller tumor size (<1 cm), no invasion into the cavernous sinus, and female sex were predictors of good surgical outcomes. Although DAs remain the first-line standard treatment for prolactinomas, surgery can be an excellent option and should be considered as an alternative primary treatment modality when patients are predicted to achieve a good surgical outcome.

Importance of ROS1 gene fusions in non-small cell lung cancer.

Targeted therapy has become one of the standards of care for advanced lung cancer. More than 10 genetic aberrations have been discovered that are actionable and several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been approved to target each of them. Among several genetic aberrations that are actionable in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ROS1 translocations also known as gene fusion proteins, are found in only 1%-2% of the patient population. ROS1 mutations can usually be detected using a combination of techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), Fluorescence in-situ testing (FISH), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, RNA NGS and ctDNA NGS (liquid biopsies) also contribute to the diagnosis. There are currently numerous FDA-approved agents for these tumors, including crizotinib and entrectinib; however, there is in-vitro sensitivity data and clinical data documenting responses to ceritinib and lorlatinib. Clinical responses and survival rates with these agents are frequently among the best compared to other TKIs with genetic aberrations; however, intrinsic or extrinsic mechanisms of resistance may develop, necessitating research for alternative treatment modalities. To combat the mechanisms of resistance, novel agents such as repotrectenib, cabozantinib, talotrectinib, and others are being developed. In this article, we examine the literature pertaining to patients with ROS1 tumors, including epidemiology, clinical outcomes, resistance mechanisms, and treatment options.

Ethanol ablation is an alternative treatment modality for disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (with video).

Ethanol ablation is an alternative treatment modality for disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (with video).

A comparative study for assessment of post-operative sequelae following mandibular transalveolar molar extractions using ozone and dexamethasone

Objectives: Trans-alveolar extractions involve surgical removal of tooth that has its own postoperative sequelae, most commonly manifested as pain and swelling. This study aims to compare the efficacy of topical ozone and dexamethasone in management of post-operative sequelae after mandibular trans-alveolar molar extractions. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients requiring surgical removal of mandibular molars under local anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups, each group consisting of 30 patients. Group 1 received Topical Ozonated Oil in the extraction socket post-operatively, while Group 2 was administered 8 mg dexamethasone injection post-operatively. The patients were checked for postoperative wound healing, pain and swelling on 1st, 3rd and 7th day. Results: The results showed comparatively similar results for the pain severity and swelling score at the 1st and 7th postoperative day in both the groups. A greater reduction of pain was noticed in Group 1 on 3rd postoperative day. Wound Healing was noted to be better in Group 1 at 3rd and 7th post-operative day. Conclusion: In conclusion, topical ozone therapy can be used as an effective alternative treatment modality, when compared to dexamethasone for better management of post-operative sequelae following mandibular trans-alveolar molar extractions.

Comparative Outcomes and/or Complications Following Ventriculoperitoneal versus Lumboperitoneal Shunts: A Scoping Review

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion procedure in the form of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) has been performed for over a century and is a well-established method for treating hydrocephalus. With the passage of time and the availability of better technology, several other CSF diversion modalities developed with variable risks and benefits. Lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS) is a close and safe contestant for the VP shunt procedure and is regarded as an alternative treatment modality for hydrocephalus. The present scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. A literature search for the study was performed on PubMed, COCHRANE, SCOPUS and ScienceDirect (from inception to 7 July 2022). Those studies that were published in the English language with a report on comparison between VPS and LPS for the management of hydrocephalus were included in the review process. Those studies that do not have comparative outcomes, case reports, letters, reviews, preclinical studies, conference reports and non-human studies were excluded from the study. Search results showed 134 records; after removing the duplicates and excluding 12 studies with reasons, five studies were included in the present review. Several complications were described in patients who underwent either VP Shunt or LP Shunt surgery. Although communicating hydrocephalus forms one of the most significant subgroups of patients in neurosurgical practice and VP and LP shunt procedures are also widely performed, the literature review shows limited comparative efficacy. In addition, the reported studies have a broad spectrum of indications, disease conditions and complications with a heterogeneous patient population. To further develop the high level of evidence, there is a need for well-designed prospective protocols to help us develop uniform and practical guidelines. In the present review, we looked into the common complications, including shunt malfunction, shunt infection, subdural haematoma, shunt obstruction and shunt migration between two groups.

Molecularly Targeted Therapy for Urothelial Cancers

Urothelial carcinoma therapy is a rapidly evolving and expanding field. Traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens have not produced optimal long-term outcomes, and many urothelial cancer patients have comorbidities that disqualify them as chemotherapy candidates. In recent years, a plethora of novel therapeutic agents that target diverse molecular pathways has emerged as alternative treatment modalities for not only metastatic urothelial carcinoma, but also for muscle-invasive bladder cancer and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in adjuvant and definitive settings. This review paper aims to discuss the various categories of therapeutic agents for these different types of urothelial cancer, discussing immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates, kinase inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, peptide vaccination, and other drugs targeting pathways such as angiogenesis, DNA synthesis, mTOR/PI3K/AKT, and EGFR/HER-2.

Neuroendoscopic surgery combined with Ommaya reservoir placement for cystic craniopharyngiomas: 11 years of experience in a single institution

Introduction Total resection of cystic craniopharyngiomas is challenging, especially for some large cystic tumors, because it is often associated with high recurrence and morbidity rates. Minimally invasive cyst decompression and continuous drainage are appropriate to manage clinical symptoms. We reviewed our experience of the past 11 years to determine the long-term effects of neuroendoscopic surgery (NES) combined with Ommaya reservoir (OR) for the treatment of cystic craniopharyngiomas. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 15 adult patients with cystic craniopharyngiomas at a single institution with the primary goal to evaluate the treatment mode with initial adequate decompression of the cyst under visualization and continuous drainage. The study endpoints were functional outcome, cyst volume changes, and tumor progression. Results The median follow up was 77 (20–136) months. Clinical symptoms, e.g. increased intracranial pressure and visual impairment, could be rapidly improved after NES. The postoperative reduction in cyst volume (p < 0.001) and improvement in Karnofsky performance status (p < 0.001) were significant, and long-term tumor control was achieved in 10 patients (67%). Aspiration from the OR after progression of the tumor’s cystic portion remains a major option, with only few patients requiring repeat NES procedures. No patient developed acute or severe clinical symptoms during follow up. Conclusions NES could decompress the craniopharyngioma cyst under visualization and enable faster clinical-symptom improvement. The minimally invasive NES combined with OR allowed long-term symptom control in most patients without surgery-related injury. This palliative treatment strategy could be an alternative modality for cystic craniopharyngioma treatment.

Woven EndoBridge versus stent-assisted coil embolization of cerebral bifurcation aneurysms.

Stent-assisted coil (SAC) embolization has been the mainstay endovascular treatment for bifurcation aneurysms. The recent introduction of the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device has presented an alternative endovascular treatment modality for these aneurysms. Direct comparisons of outcomes between these two modalities are limited in the literature. Here, the authors compared the outcomes of bifurcation aneurysms treated with SAC and WEB devices. This retrospective single-center study comprised 148 bifurcation aneurysms that were treated endovascularly with SAC or WEB devices between 2011 and 2019. The primary outcome was complete occlusion of the aneurysm at 6 months on catheter angiography. The SAC and WEB cohorts comprised 85 and 63 aneurysms, respectively. The baseline characteristics were well balanced after inverse probability weight (IPW) adjustment, except for smoking status. The 6-month complete occlusion rate was higher in the WEB cohort than the SAC cohort (67.4% vs 40.6%; unadjusted OR [95% CI] 3.014 [1.385-6.563], p = 0.005). However, this difference in complete occlusion rates did not remain significant after IPW adjustment and multiple imputations. The neck remnant rate was lower in the WEB cohort than the SAC cohort (20% vs 50%; OR [95% CI] 0.250 [0.107-0.584], p = 0.001), and this difference remained significant after IPW adjustment (OR [95% CI] 0.304 [0.116-0.795], p = 0.015) and multiple imputations. Use of SAC and WEB demonstrated comparable 6-month complete occlusion rates for bifurcation aneurysms. WEB appeared to be associated with a lower rate of neck remnant at 6 and 12 months compared with SAC. WEB was also associated with fewer complications and decreased retreatment rates compared with SAC.

Promising minimally invasive treatment modalities for symptomatic temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction: a randomized controlled clinical trial

BackgroundPain and clicking are the primary complaints in patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction (DDwR), negatively affecting the patients' quality of life, making the treatment essential. This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) in comparison to anterior repositioning appliance (ARA) for the treatment of DDwR.MethodsA total of 27 patients were randomly allocated to 3 groups; ARA (control group), BTX-A, and LLLT; with 9 patients each. All patients were evaluated before and 3 months after the treatment using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).ResultsAt 3 months follow-up, all groups showed a significant reduction in pain assessed by VAS (P = 0.007). Measured on MRI, there was a significant improvement in disc position and joint space index (JSI) in BTX-A group (P < 0.001, P = 0.011) and LLLT group (P = 0.002, P = 0.017) in comparison to the control group (P = 0.087, P = 0.066) respectively. As for time of recovery, a statistically significant difference was observed in BTX-A group (P < 0.001) and LLLT (P < 0.001) group in comparison to ARA group, which showed the most prolonged duration for reduction of DDwR symptoms.ConclusionWe concluded that BTX-A and LLLT could be considered effective alternative treatment modalities to ARA regarding reducing joint pain, clicking, and improving disc position in patients with symptomatic DDwR.Trial registrationThis prospective double-blinded RCT has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with identification number: NCT05194488, 18/1/2022.

The Efficacy of Noninvasive 1060-Nm Diode Lasers for Submental Lipolysis: A Pilot Study.

Submental fat is a noticeable fat in the submental region that is of great concern aesthetically, especially to female patients. A 1060-nm diode laser is a clinically proven device for the laser lipolysis of subcutaneous fat cells. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 1060-nm diode laser for submental fat reduction. Twenty subjects with unwanted localized submental fat were treated with a single session of a 1060-nm diode laser with an energy setting between 0.95 and 1.40 W/cm2, depending on each patient's tolerance. Submental fat thickness measurements were documented at baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Clinical photographs, ultrasound images, and adverse events were evaluated at each follow-up visit. Subjects responded to a satisfaction questionnaire at the end of the study. The subjects had a mean age of 34.55±6.19 years, a mean body weight of 70.66±10.55 kilograms, and most (95%) were women. The average energy setting was 0.95-1.40 W/cm2, with a pain score of 3.90±1.30 on a 0-to-10 scale. A significant reduction in submental fat thickness measured by ultrasound was noted at post-treatment month 3 (falling to 0.46±0.13; P =0.013). However, there was a slight increase in the submental fat thickness at the 6-month follow-up (to 0.48±0.12); the change in the thickness relative to the baseline was nonsignificant (P =0.121). Most subjects reported an improvement 6 months after the treatment. No severe adverse events were observed throughout the study period. Our study demonstrated the potential role of 1060-nm Diode laser for the treatment of localized submental subcutaneous adiposities. It is a promising alternative treatment modality for patients seeking an in-office, nonsurgical procedure for fat reduction without severe complications.