Cryogenic damage to peripheral nerves and blood vessels in the rat.

The effects of cryogenic injury on femoral blood vessels and nerves were studied in 28 rats. The femoral neurovascular bundles were dissected out bilaterally and the vessels and nerves subjected to cryogenic injury. The rats were sacrificed at intervals of up to 2 weeks. Damage to the nerves and to a number of femoral vessels was severe and included necrosis and thrombus formation. The results indicate that significant vascular damage can occur during cryotherapy, and the possible complications of this should be considered.