How is cryosurgery done?
The cold is introduced through a probe, which has liquid nitrogen circulating through it. To destroy diseased tissue, the tissue is cooled to below -20 degrees Celsius. Other procedures that control pain or bleeding are cooled to a lesser degree to prevent tissue damage. What happens during cryosurgery? Cryosurgery is an office procedure done while the patient is awake. During the procedure, the vaginal canal is held open with a speculum so that the cervix can be seen. The cryo probe is inserted into the vagina and placed firmly on the surface of the cervix, covering the abnormal tissue. Compressed gaseous nitrogen (temperature approximately -50 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 th
