Cryoneurolysis of Peripheral Nerves

Patient Position: Depends on the nerve.

Indications: Neuroma, causalgia, flexion contractures, and nerve entrapment syndromes.

Anatomic Landmarks: The same as for nerve blocks.

Approach and Technique:
After aseptic preparation and local anesthetic infiltration of the
skin, insert an intravenous catheter over a needle through the skin and
direct it closely toward the area to be frozen. Remove the needle and
insert the cryoprobe (Fig. 62-1)
through the catheter. Use the nerve stimulator in the cryoprobe to
place the tip in the exact location. The typical duration of the
cryolesion is 1.0 to 1.5 minutes. The best results are obtained with
the technique of “freeze-thaw-refreeze” cycle. Once the 1.5-minute
freezing cycle at -60°C to -80°C has been performed, allow the probe to
thaw for 20 to 30 seconds and again refreeze for another 1.5 minutes. A
minimum lesion length of 4 mm is critical in order to stop nerve
conduction.

Advantages: Low incidence of neuritis and lack of neuroma formation.