Safety and Efficacy of Deoxycholic Acid Injection for Reduction of Upper Inner Thigh Fat

Unwanted upper inner thigh fat is a common aesthetic complaint from patients, and current treatment options include liposuction and cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting, Allergan, Irvine, CA). Deoxycholic acid (Kybella, Allergan, Irvine, CA) is an FDA-approved injectable for the treatment of excess submental fat. At this time, it is not known if deoxycholic acid may be a safe and effective treatment for upper inner thigh fat. The proposed clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of deoxycholic acid for reduction of upper inner thigh fat. In this single-arm, open-label safety and efficacy study, 15 subjects with excess upper inner thigh fat will receive 1-4 treatment sessions of subcutaneously injected deoxycholic acid. Subjects will be followed for 12 weeks after last treatment. Adverse events will be monitored. Efficacy will be objectively measured by change in thigh circumference; change in upper inner thigh skin fold thickness; increase in "thigh gap;" and percent accuracy by three blinded physicians in correctly identifying baseline photographs, upon independent review of before-and-after clinical photographs of the treatment area. Patient satisfaction related to the study treatment will be assessed with a Subject Self-Rating Scale throughout the study, and with a Post-Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire.