Cryolaser cryosclerotherapy versus isolated sclerotherapy for telangiectasias and reticular veins: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the incidence of adverse events between cryolaser cryosclerotherapy (CLaCS) and isolated sclerotherapy for lower limb telangiectasias and reticular veins and to determine pooled adverse event rates after CLaCS.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception through February 2025 for studies of adults with telangiectasias or reticular veins (Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological C1-C2) treated with CLaCS, reporting quantitative adverse event data. Risk ratios (RRs) were pooled using Mantel-Haenszel random-effects models for comparative studies. Single-arm proportions were pooled using Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. Primary outcomes were telangiectatic matting, microthrombi formation, and hyperpigmentation. Secondary outcomes were ecchymosis and skin necrosis. An additional single-arm pooled proportion of satisfactory vessel clearance was estimated as a secondary efficacy outcome.

RESULTS

Six studies (833 patients) were included; three provided direct comparative data (363 CLaCS vs 259 sclerotherapy). CLaCS was associated with significantly lower rates of matting (RR, 0.07 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.36]), microthrombi (RR, 0.18 [95% CI, 0.06-0.54]), and ecchymosis (RR, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.32-0.58]). No significant difference was found for hyperpigmentation (RR, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.06-1.44]; I2 = 92.1%) or skin necrosis (RR, 0.13 [95% CI, 0.02-1.00]). Pooled single-arm rates after CLaCS were 0.00% for matting, 0.00% for skin necrosis, 6.31% for microthrombi, 7.38% for hyperpigmentation, and 22.41% for ecchymosis. The pooled single-arm rate of satisfactory vessel clearance after CLaCS was 90.68% (95% CI, 76.74-98.87; I2 = 94.6%) across five studies. Patient satisfaction, reported in three studies and synthesized narratively because of instrument heterogeneity, was consistently high (∼85%-90%) across techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

CLaCS was associated with significantly lower rates of matting, microthrombi, and ecchymosis compared with isolated sclerotherapy, with near-zero incidence of matting and skin necrosis. High heterogeneity in hyperpigmentation highlights the need for trials with standardized outcome measures. CLaCS also achieved a high pooled rate of satisfactory vessel clearance and consistently high patient satisfaction across studies, supporting its efficacy alongside its favorable safety profile.