The role and biology of cryosurgery in the treatment of bone tumors - A review

The application of liquid nitrogen as a local adjuvant to curettage in the treatment of bone tumors was introduced three decades ago. This technique, termed cryosurgery, was shown to achieve excellent local control in a varie ty of benign-aggressive and malignant bone tumors. However, early reports s howed that cryosurgery was associated with a significant injury to the adja cent rim of bone and soft-tissue, resulting in high rates of fractures and infections. These results reflected an initial failure to appreciate the po tentially destructive effects of liquid nitrogen and establish appropriate guidelines for its use, We review the biological effect of cryosurgery on b one, surgical technique, and current indications for its use.