Considering the hypothesis of the pathophysiology of cellulite in its treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate perimetric reductions in the clinical treatment of cellulite (aesthetics) using the Godoy method in a randomized retrospective clinical trial. The medical records of 150 patients treated for cellulite in the period from 2006 to 2011 in the Clinica Godoy were revisited. Treatment comprised manual and mechanical lymph drainage and cervical stimulation for one hour per day over 10 days. The paired t-test was used for statistical analysis, with an alpha error of 5% (P-value <0.05) being considered acceptable. This study was started after being approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP - no. 395- 2010), Brazil and after being registered as a clinical trial. The mean reduction of the 150 patients was 3.81±2.76 g (P-value <0.0001; 95% confidence interval: 3.408-4.223). A significant reduction in size was seen with the clinical treatment of cellulite giving an improvement in the physical appearance. Pathophysiological mechanisms such as regional skin lymphostasis seem to be involved in the formation of cellulite.