Cryosurgery for basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Thirty patients with 57 basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck underwent cryosurgery during the years 1971--1973. Treatment was performed in the outpatient clinic, and no premedication or local anaesthesia was required. Residual disease necessitating local excision was found in 4 patients at follow-up which extended over a period of 2 years. The technique proved to be simple and safe. However, since tissue was not available for histological control, rigid criteria for patient selection and a prolonged follow-up are required.