Fractional cryosurgery. A new technique for basal cell carcinoma of the eyelids and periorbital area.

BACKGROUND

Cryosurgery is an established method to treat malignant tumors of the eyelids and periorbital area. Nevertheless, it has been abandoned for tumors greater than 10 mm, because it gives irregular esthetic results and, in some cases, lagophthalmos.

OBJECTIVE

To devise a new method for the treatment of such tumors.

METHOD: Fractional cryosurgery is performed in stages: the center of the lesion is frozen, resulting in a reduction of the tumor; this procedure is repeated, as necessary, until the lesion's diameter is smaller than 10 mm; the standard cryosurgical procedure is then carried out.

RESULTS

The treatment of the first 20 basal cell carcinomas with diameters between 10 and 24 mm is described, with excellent clinical and cosmetic results.

CONCLUSION

With fractional cryosurgery, the final scar bears no relation to the size of the original tumor but, instead, corresponds to the size of the lesion preceding the final cryosurgical procedure.