Cervix treatment - cryosurgery
Alternative names:
cervix surgery; cryosurgery (female)
Definition:
Surgical treatment of abnormal cervical tissue using instruments (cryo probes) and extremely cold temperatures to freeze and destroy the abnormal tissue (cryosurgery).
Description:
The procedure can be done while the patient is awake (local anesthesia) or deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia). The vaginal canal is held open so that the cervix can be seen. The cryo probe is inserted into the vagina and placed firmly on the abnormal cervical tissue. Liquid nitrogen (which has a temperature of approximately -256 degrees Fahrenheit or -160 degrees Celsius) flows through the instrument making the metal cold enough to freeze and destroy the tissue. Although some slight cramping may occur, cryosurgery is relatively painless and produces very little scarring.
An "ice ball" forms on the cervix, killing the superficial abnormal cells. For optimal treatment, the freezing is done for 3 minutes, the cervix is allowed to thaw, then the freezing is repeated for an additional 3 minutes.
Indications:
Appropriate uses of cryosurgery include:
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
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