In eight rabbits, three portions of different segments of the liver were frozen at—60 C for five minutes by contact freezing with Freon. The activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum lactic dehydrogenase (SLDH), and serum β-glucuronidase were determined serially at regular intervals thereafter. The concentrations of serum potassium and sodium were also measured. Several hematologic measurements were made to detect abnormalities of the coagulation system. The activities of β-glucuronidase, transaminase, and SLDH were raised substantially after freezing, reaching a peak between three and six hours postoperatively. There was a tendency toward hyperkalemia, but no substantial changes were found in serum sodium concentrations. The hematologic data showed no evidence of intravascular coagulation after hepatic cryosurgery.
Accordingly, if and when cryosurgical procedures are applied to the liver as a clinical trial, acidosis or hypoxia must be carefully avoided postoperatively.