[Clinical results following cyclo-cryocoagulation with a nitrogen cooled probe]

Abstract

A new cryoprobe for cyclocryocoagulation was investigated in a clinical trial. A group of 15 patients was treated with one step coagulation at 120 degrees C; a control group of 15 patients was treated with a CO2-cooled cryoprobe using circular coagulation in the usual manner. Statistical evaluation showed a significant drop in IOP in both groups after cryocoagulation. There was no difference in the preoperative IOP values (42 +/- 13 vs. 42 +/- 9 mmHg, p = 0.850), but in the postoperative evaluations done 1-2 and 6-9 months postoperatively we found lower IOPs in the nitrogen treated groups (13 +/- 7 vs. 27 +/- 11, p less than 0.001, U-test; 14 +/- 8 vs 24 +/- 17 mmHg, p = 0.044). This new cryoprobe seems to be suitable for a one-step procedure, as it shows results superior to multiple applications with the CO2-cooled cryoprobe.