A Prospective, Comparative Study (before and after) for the Evaluation of Cryothermogenesis’ Efficacy in Body Contouring: Abdomen and Saddlebags

Abstract

Background: 

Cryolipolysis is a noninvasive method that allows selective reduction of adipose tissue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of cryothermogenesis, the repetitive applications of cryotherapy, in body contouring of the abdomen and saddlebag areas.

Methods: 

Thirty participants were included in the study. Premenopausal women with an overload of subcutaneous abdominal and saddlebag adipose tissue were enrolled. For each participant, five cryothermogenesis sessions were carried out using a medical device equipped with two cooling probes. The primary endpoint was metric measurement. The secondary endpoints were the measurement of subcutaneous fat mass using a Lunar iDXA whole-body scanner (GE Healthcare, Madison, Wis.) and a metabolic assessment conducted before treatment and 15 days after treatment.

Results: 

The mean age of participants was 36.72 ± 7 years. Participants had different phototypes and an average body mass index of 23.0 ± 1.41 kg/m². A decrease in body mass index was observed 3 months after the last session; the body mass index dropped to 20.5 ± 2.1 kg/m² (p = 0.004 compared to baseline). Waist measurements showed a significant decrease, with an average loss of 4.1 cm after 15 days and 4.62 cm after 3 months. Concerning the circumference of saddlebags, a decrease was observed 3 months after treatment. These results were confirmed by iDXA computed tomographic measurements, showing a significant fat mass reduction in the treated areas.

Conclusion: 

The results indicate that subcutaneous fat in the abdomen and saddlebags was reduced after five successive cryothermogenesis sessions, without any complications, in a cohort of participants with different phototypes.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 

Therapeutic, IV.