Broad overview of a clinical and commercial experience with CoolSculpting

Cryolipolysis has been shown to be a safe and effective noninvasive procedure for the reduction of localized subcutaneous fat.

The authors examine the safety, efficacy, and procedural growth of cryolipolysis (via the CoolSculpting device; Zeltiq, Pleasanton, California) in a single plastic surgery practice.

A retrospective chart review was conducted for 528 consecutive patients who underwent cryolipolysis treatment from January 2010 to December 2012. The number of patients, the number of treatment cycles, the average number of cycles per patient, all treatment areas, and all procedural complications were recorded and analyzed. Overall practice growth with the device was also analyzed.

Over the study period, 1785 anatomic sites were treated with 2729 cycles, primarily in the lower abdomen (28%, n = 490 cycles), upper abdomen (11%, n = 189), left flank (19%, n = 333), right flank (19%, n = 333), inner thigh (6%, n = 111), outer thigh (5%, n = 87), and back (6%, n = 99). The age distribution for men and women was similar (46.6 ± 12.8 years for women and 46.5 ± 12.3 years for men; overall range, 18-79 years). Only 3 cases of mild or moderate pain/neuralgia were reported and resolved in 4 or fewer days. No adverse events were reported. Procedure volume showed consistent growth, with treatment cycles increasing by 823% by 2012.

Based on the results in this single plastic surgery practice, cryolipolysis is a safe and effective nonsurgical body contouring method associated with high patient satisfaction that can generate steady, significant business growth.