title: Cryosurgery for prostatic obstruction using liquid nitrous oxide.
abstract: The history of the use of liquid N2O for prostatic cryosurgery is briefly reviewed and an account given of a new simple instrument. Details are given of the first 3 operations and of the results of another 82 performed at a number of different centres. Relief of acute or chronic obstruction was obtained in about two-thirds of the patients, all of whom were elderly and unfit for conventional operations. There were no serious complications attributable to the operation and it was suggested that it would be justifiable to offer it as an alternative, to patients who are fit for conventional surgery.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D009609:Nitrous Oxide