Delayed Onset Pain Associated With Cryolipolysis Treatment: A Retrospective Study With Treatment Recommendations.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cryolipolysis has become a popular treatment for noninvasive destruction of unwanted subcutaneous fat. It is a generally well-tolerated treatment with mild transient side effects. Delayed posttreatment pain has been sporadically reported, but its incidence, etiology, and treatment have not been elucidated in a large series of patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of 125 patients who received 554 cryolipolysis procedures over a 1-year period was conducted. Demographic data were obtained to determine specific variables that influenced development of delayed posttreatment pain. RESULTS: Young women (mean age, 39 years) undergoing abdominal cryolipolysis were at greatest risk of experiencing delayed posttreatment pain. The pain was self-limited (duration, 3-11 days) and resolved completely without long-term sequelae. The number of treatment cycles did not impact the development of this side effect. CONCLUSION: Delayed posttreatment pain is a not uncommon adverse effect after cryolipolysis. Patients should be counseled on the possibility of its occurrence, and timely intervention should be instituted to reduce its impact.