Two freezing cycles ensure interface sterilization by cryosurgery during bone tumor resection

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Innovation
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Conventional cryosurgery poses risks in bone tumor treatment.
• Argon-based cryosurgery offers a potentially safer alternative for bone-tumor interface sterilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal number of freezing cycles for effective interface sterilization in aggressive human bone tumors using an argon-based system.
• To evaluate the efficacy of argon-based cryosurgery in reducing tumor cell viability at the bone-tumor interface.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen aggressive human bone tumors (chondrosarcomas, metastatic carcinomas, giant cell tumors) underwent standardized marginal resection and curettage.
• Tumor interface viability was assessed using the XTT method and quantitative histological evaluation after one, two, or three freezing cycles (-40°C for 5 min).
• Correlation between XTT assay, histological evaluation, and cell culture results was analyzed.

Main Results:

• A single freezing cycle reduced tumor viability to approximately 5% but did not achieve complete sterilization.
• Two or three freezing cycles resulted in complete interface sterilization, with no significant difference between two and three cycles.
• The XTT method showed strong correlation with histological and cell culture assessments of cell viability.

Conclusions:

• Two freezing cycles of argon-based cryosurgery are sufficient to achieve complete sterilization of the tumor-bone interface in aggressive human bone tumors.
• This approach offers a safe and effective method for managing bone tumors, minimizing risks associated with conventional techniques.