Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery using liquid nitrogen has been a preserve of UK dermatology since the 1970s. 1 Several cryosurgery methods exist but, in the UK at least, the open method prevails. In this approach, the nozzle of the cryosurgery device is placed perpendicular to the skin approximately 10 mm from the skin surface and liquid nitrogen is discharged, which immediately boils (boiling point À195.6 °C) and vaporizes in the air (Supplementary Video 1). 2 The liquid nitrogen aerosol lowers the skin temperature rapidly and a freeze-ball (ice-ball) is produced. This freeze-ball differentially damages tissue structures and cells; malignant cells require cooling to at least À50 °C for destruction, whereas melanocytes are more temperature-sensitive (dying at temperatures < À50 °C) and their destruction is the likely cause of potential dyspigmentation post cryosurgery. 1,3 Isolated superficial basal cell carcinomas (sBCCs) in noncritical sites such as the main body area are reasonable candidates for cryosurgery and supported by the 2021 British Association of Dermatologists guideline on

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Cryosurgery

Cited by 3 publications

References 15 publications

Common Pediatric Dermatologic Surgery Procedures

Common Pediatric Dermatologic Surgery Procedures

Lesion Selection and Related Contraindications

Time to be cool: open liquid-nitrogen cryosurgery for low-risk superficial basal cell carcinomas

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