Impact of Cooling on Lowering the Pain Threshold in Patients Undergoing Sclerotherapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND Liquid sclerotherapy is the treatment of choice for telangiectasias. However, pain caused by the procedure is a barrier to treatment adherence by patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of skin cooling for the management of pain in patients undergoing liquid sclerotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 230 lower limbs from 115 patients with telangiectasias classified as C1 according to the Clinical-Etiological-Anatomical-Pathophysiological classification were included. Patients underwent liquid sclerotherapy with and without skin cooling during the procedure. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale, applied immediately after the procedure, according to each lower limb area treated. RESULTS Visual analog scale pain scores were significantly lower for sclerotherapy with the use of cooling for pain management during the procedure than for sclerotherapy without cooling both in the thigh and leg (p < .0001). CONCLUSION The use of a cooling system is effective in reducing pain in patients undergoing liquid sclerotherapy of telangiectasias, providing more comfort to patients.