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Venous gas embolism during cryosurgery for bone tumors
H W Schreuder1, H B van Beem, R P Veth
1Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital of St. Radboud, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Journal of Surgical Oncology
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Cryosurgery for bone tumors can cause complications. This study found no evidence of venous gas embolism during liquid nitrogen cryosurgery, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Oncology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Cryosurgery using liquid nitrogen is a treatment for benign and low-malignant skeletal tumors.
- While effective, cryosurgery carries risks, including postoperative fractures and less understood intraoperative venous gas embolism.
Observation:
- This study analyzed 17 patients undergoing cryosurgery for skeletal tumors.
- Two patients experienced serious hemodynamic complications.
- Fifteen patients had end-tidal N2 tension monitored to assess venous gas embolism risk.
Findings:
- No exhaled nitrogen (N2) was detected in the 15 analyzed cases during cryosurgery.
- This suggests a low incidence of intraoperative venous gas embolism in this patient group.
Implications:
- The findings indicate that intraoperative venous gas embolism may be less common than previously suspected during skeletal cryosurgery.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the risks and benefits of cryosurgery for skeletal tumors.
- This information can aid in informed patient consent and surgical planning.