Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
Alternatives to cryotherapy include:
- Laser treatment. A carbon dioxide laser focuses a beam of light to vaporize the abnormal cells. This technique can be used in the physician's office with very little discomfort.
- Loop electrocautery...
excision procedure (LEEP). This procedure uses a fine wire loop with an electric current flowing through it to remove the desired area of the cervix. Loop excision is usually done under local anesthesia and causes very little discomfort.
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Definition
Cervical cryotherapy is a procedure which involves freezing an area of abnormal tissue on the cervix. This tissue gradually disappears and the cervix heals. One cervical cryotherapy is usually sufficient to destroy the abnormal tissue.
Purpose
Cervical cryotherapy is a standard method used to treat cervical dysplasia, meaning the removal of abnormal cell tissue on the cervix.
Description
Cervical cryotherapy, or freezing, usually lasts about five minutes and causes a slight amount of discomfort. The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient setting.
Cervical cryotherapy is done by placing a small freeze-probe (cryoprobe) against the cervix that cools the cervix to sub-zero temperatures. The cells destroyed by freezing are shed afterwards in a heavy watery discharge. The main advantage of cryotherapy is that it is a simple procedure that requires inexpensive equipment.
The cryogenic device consists of a gas tank containing a refrigerant and non-explosive, non-toxic gas (usually nitrous oxide). The gas is delivered using flexible tubing through a gun-type attachment to the cryoprobe.
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