Cryosurgery in the treatment of hypertrophic granulation tissue in cutaneous wounds

Introduction: Cryosurgery is a safe and effective treatment modality that uses liquid nitrogen for tissue destruction.
Objective: To demonstrate the effectiveness of cryosurgery in the treatment of hypertrophic granulation tissue in cutaneous wounds.
Methods: Cutaneous wounds with hypertrophic granulation tissue were treated with the nitrogen spray applied from a distance of 5cm from the area to be treated, at a 90º angle. The freezing time was two 5-second cycles and the number of sessions ranged from 1 to 3. The assessments of results were based on weekly clinical and photographic comparisons, as well on the measurement of the wound's and hypertrophic granulation tissue's areas using a planimeter, up until the healing process was completed. The results were statistically analyzed.
Results: Twenty patients with cutaneous wounds located on the head, trunk and limbs were treated. The average weekly percentage reduction compared to the baseline area was 32.5%. The results were statistically significant.
Conclusions: Cryosurgery is a practical, cost effective and non-invasive method and can be indicated for the treatment of hypertrophic granulation tissue in cutaneous wounds.

Keywords: GRANULATION TISSUE; CRYOSURGERY; THERAPEUTICS