Ultrasound assessment of abdominal adipose panniculus before and after a four-to-six cycle single session of cryolipolysis showed a significant reduction of the abdominal fat layer thickness as well as a significant reduction of the contour in the infracostal, supraumbilical, umbilical and ischiopubic areas.
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For the study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (November 23, 2021), Montserrat Ponga-Manso, MD, treated the abdomens of 30 female subjects (mean age 51.4 ± 3.4 years) with four-to-six cycles of cryolipolysis, administered in one session. Treatment was delivered using either the contoured cup cryolipolysis applicator CoolAdvantage or the Cooladvantage plus (CoolSculpting, Allergan Aesthetics).
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She acquired ultrasound images at baseline and six months after treatment. The primary efficacy endpoints were mean abdominal fat layer thickness reduction at six months and mean contour reduction in the infracostal, supraumbilical, umbilical and ischiopubic regions, measured using a flexible measuring tape. Secondary endpoints included incidence and severity of adverse events.
Six months following treatment, the mean abdominal fat layer thickness reduction was 46.6% (41.2%–51.9%). The mean contour was significantly reduced from 84.3, 99.2, 90.6 and 97.1 cm to 81.0, 93.6, 85.8 and 92.2 cm in the infracostal, supraumbilical, umbilical and ischiopubic regions, respectively. There were no significant changes in weight, body mass index, fat mass or lean mass throughout the study.
In addition to the reduction in fat thickness and contour, qualitative analysis of the ultrasound images suggested the appearance of numerous bands of ordered and structured collagen fibers.
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Adverse events included mild and limited inflammation or mild hypoesthesia, which Dr. Ponga-Manso noted are typically associated with the procedure. No other treatment-related adverse events, either mild or serious were reported.
Based on these findings, the author concluded, “Four-to-six cycles of cryolipolysis, administered in one session, seemed to be a safe and effective procedure for reducing localized fat in the abdominal region in this sample. Additionally, ultrasound images suggested that cryolipolysis was associated with a skin quality improvement and neocollagenesis.”
