Why liquid nitrogen?
Liquid nitrogen which boils at −196°C (−320.8°F) is the most effective cryogen for clinical use.
It is particularly useful in the treatment of malignant lesions. It is needed liquid nitrogen, because you need to achieve temperatures of −25°C to −50°C within 30 seconds, if a sufficient amount of liquid nitrogen is applied by spray or probe.We choose liquid nitrogen, because generally destruction of benign lesions requires temperatures of −20°C to −30°C. Effective removal of malignant tissue often requires temperatures of −40°C to −50°C. No other cryogenic material can do that.Irreversible damage in treated tissue occurs because of intracellular ice formation. The degree of damage depends on the rate of cooling and the minimum temperature achieved. Inflammation develops during the 24 hours after treatment, further contributing to destruction of the lesion through immunological mediated mechanism.Cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen is a minimally invasive procedure, and is often preferred to more traditional kinds of surgery because of its minimal pain, scarring, and cost.Advantages of this treatment include a short preparation time, low risk of infection, and minimal wound care. In addition, cryosurgery requires no expensive supplies or injectable anesthesia, and the patient does not have to return for suture removal. Skin lesions often can be treated in a single session, although some require several treatments.