[Technique and results of nitrogen cryotherapy of eyelid basaliomas]

A new, low-cost and more handy equipment (Erbocryo SN) is presented. It may be used with cryoprobes (closed tip) or spray application. New thin-walled probes proved more effective. This was also true in treatment of patients. - The long-term results of cryotherapy are reviewed and shown in 4 patients as examples. Since 1979, 262 basalioma patients were treated at Würzburg with liquid nitrogen application. The long-term results of the first consecutive series (1979-1983) were published earlier in this journal. They confirmed the favorable results published by american authors and by Matthüs and coworkers. Surgical treatment is suitable as well in small tumours. If, however, larger parts of the lid or the lacrimal pathways would have to be excised in surgical treatment, liquid nitrogen cryotherapy is the better choice. The limitations of this method must be considered in case of deeply infiltrating basaliomas of the cheek. Thorough knowledge of the method and of the preconditions of its efficacy are mandatory.