Cryosurgery of major and minor salivary gland: a light microscopic evaluation in the Rhesus monkey.

The minor salivary glands in the hard palate and the submandibular gland of the Rhesus monkey were subjected to a liquid nitrogen, direct-spray, one-cycle freeze. A 4-min freeze in the temperature range of -40 degrees C to -60 degrees C was used. The extent of tissue destruction was determined at intervals up to 1 year. Clinically relevant findings resulted and form the basis for subsequent studies by this group of investigators.