Aim of the study: To assess the value of cryodestruction during cytoreduction of liver tumors in the patients undergoing palliative treatment as well as evaluation of the frequency and type of complications of the method.
Patients and method: Between 1990-2001, 33 cryodestruction of maligant tumors of liver were performed for primary tumor in 8 cases and for metastatic lesions in 25. Thirteen patients had single, and the remaining 20 multiple lesions in liver. In 11 cases cryotherapy supplemented resective procedures or devascularisation of liver parenchyma.
Results: Mean time of follow-up was 14 months in the patients subjected to cryotherapy alone and 10 months in those subjected to cryotherapy as a supplementing modality. Postroperative complications related to cryotherapy did not exceed 9%, and overall mortality was 3%.
Conclusions: Cryoablation is valuable alternative for other methods of palliative treatment in the patients with liver tumors.