Cryoinjury of a Contractile Tissue-Equivalent: In Vitro Experiments

Cryosurgery, the minimally-invasive destruction of undesirable tissues by freezing, is an attractive technique for treating diseases where tight control over lesion size and minimal scar tissues are crucial, such as cancer and dermatologic disorders (1, 2). Unlike hyperthermic (high temperature) treatments, cryosurgery maintains the integrity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) while destroying the cells of the tissue. The undamaged ECM results in a unique wound healing process, which, compared to most injuries, leads to a better tissue recovery. Thus, cryosurgery has been of great interest in many clinical fields and has been studied extensively. However, numerous questions remain.