[The application of liquid nitrogen cryosurgery in adjuvant to surgical treatment of spinal tumor].

Liquid nitrogen (LN) cryosurgery is more often used for the treatment of bone tumors of the extremities. Since 1985 after animal experimentation we began to use it for the surgical treatment of spinal tumors. The temperature of the tissues surrounding the spinal cord was controlled above -20 degrees C by means of thermocouples and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) was used to monitor the spinal cord function. Liquid nitrogen was used as an adjuvant treatment in the surgical treatment of spinal tumors, it could reduce operative hemorrhage and kill tumor cells. The function of spinal cord had not been damaged in all 11 patients after cryotherapy. There was infection in one case, it was cured by using antibiotics and by drainage. This study showed that LN freezing can reduce the amount of operative hemorrhage during resection of spinal tumors. Benign tumors can be thus removed easily and thoroughly.