Complications of cutaneous cryosurgery.

The complications of cutaneous cryosurgery may be divided into technical problems, those involving patient selection, reactions of the immediate and acute type, short-term reactions, and long-term complications. Technical problems involve primarily the delivery system and temperature monitoring. Proper patient selection is essential for avoiding complications. Reactions to cryotherapy vary widely from those which may be considered normal to hemorrhage, severe systemic reactions in cold-sensitive individuals, full-thickness skin necrosis, syncope, and sudden death. Short-term complications include hemorrhage, infection, and granuloma pyogenicum. Long-term reactions include pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, nerve damage, pigmentary problems, tissue defects, delayed healing, scar formation, and the recurrence of benign and malignant lesions.