A system for controlling temperatures during medical procedures is disclosed. The system can include a high-thermal conductivity matrix with embedded thermal capacitors. The matrix can be a cream or gel, for example, and can enable the system to be easily applied to the skin, or other area to be treated. The thermal capacitors can include phase change materials, polymers, fats, or other materials that undergo an endothermic physico-chemical transformation above a first predetermined temperature (e.g., room temperature), but below a second predetermined temperature (e.g., the patients pain threshold). The system can further include one or more thickeners to provide the desired rheological properties for application. The system can also include one or more lubricants to ease some operations during the medical procedure.
