Cryosurgery in long bones; an experimental study of necrosis and revitalization in rabbits

Cryosurgery is an established adjuvant treatment of bone tumors which reduces the local recurrence rate. In this study, cryosurgical experiments were carried out in rabbits to study the temperature field, the extent of necrosis, and the revitalization process in order to optimize treatment. Intramedullary freezing of long bones with a closed liquid nitrogen cryoprobe and three consecutive sessions induces osteonecrosis down to the -10 degrees C isotherm without compromising the soft tissues. The application of a tourniquet does not influence the thermodynamics. The revitalization process is distinguished into an osteogenic and a remodelling phase. In rabbits, there is an obvious periosteal osteogenesis starting from 1 week after operation and overlapping the remodelling phase, which starts between 3 and 5 weeks after operation. Two out of eight rabbits sustained a pathologic fracture within 3 weeks of cryosurgery. No pathologic fractures were encountered during the remodelling phase, probably because of the profuse periosteal bone apposition that added mechanical strength. In clinical practice, no profound periosteal bone apposition and a high risk for pathologic fractures during the remodelling phase were noted. Future research should focus on bone strength during the remodelling phase of cryosurgically treated long bones, to decide on the role of preventive osteosynthesis or postoperative restrictions. This animal model is not advised for these biomechanical experiments because of its profuse periosteal bone apposition.