MONITORING DURING CRYOSURGERY OF BONE-TUMORS

Background: Cryosurgery is used in orthopaedic oncology as adjuvant tr eatment after intralesional excision of bone tumors to induce cell dea th at and beyond the surgical margin. Monitoring freeze/thaw cycles du ring cryosurgery is beneficial in controlling a cryosurgical procedure and in preventing an unwarranted local extent of the freeze. Method: We conducted a study of 15 cryosurgical procedures with the use of a p rotocolized temperature measuring system with peroperative graphic vis ualization. Results: Using a liquid nitrogen spray, intralesional temp eratures of -150 degrees C were achieved, which are, according to the literature, associated with cell death. Extralesional temperature meas urements showed no subzero temperatures of surrounding important tissu es. Conclusions: Temperature recordings in and outside the lesion duri ng cryosurgery in orthopaedic oncology are of importance to monitor th e freeze/thaw cycles and are helpful in facilitating an effective cryo surgical procedure and in controlling the extent of the freeze, avoidi ng local complications. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.