CRYOSURGERY

General Information

DEFINITION--Removal of abnormal or diseased tissue by freezing, usually with liquid nitrogen.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Any lesion on the skin; hemorrhoids; cervix; retina (rarely).

REASONS FOR SURGERY

• Removal of skin lesions.
• Treatment of cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix).
• Treatment of retinal detachment (rarely).

SURGICAL RISK INCREASES WITH--None expected.

What To Expect

WHO OPERATES--Dermatologist or family doctor (to treat skin lesions), obstetrician-gynecologist (to treat cervicitis) or ophthalmologist (to treat retinal detachment).

WHERE PERFORMED--Hospital, outpatient surgical facility, doctor's office or emergency room.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Before surgery: Blood and urine studies.
• After surgery: None expected.

ANESTHESIA--Usually none.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

• For small skin lesions, liquid nitrogen is applied to a cotton-tipped applicator. The applicator is held to the skin lesions until they are frozen and destroyed.
• Sometimes, a spray can with pressurized liquid nitrogen is used to freeze skin lesions.
• For surgery on the cervix or retina, a special instrument is used. Liquid nitrogen circulates in the tip of this instrument causing it to become almost as cold as the liquid nitrogen. The instrument tip is held on the affected areas until the abnormal tissue is frozen.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Surgical-wound infection (rare).

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY--Usually none.

PROBABLE OUTCOME

• For skin lesions or hemorrhoids: Initial swelling and redness become a blister in 2 or 3 days. The blister will rupture by itself about 2 weeks after surgery. It will leave a scab, but little or no scar after complete healing.
• For surgery of the cervix: Expect complete healing without complications. Allow about 3 weeks for recovery from surgery.
• For retinal detachment: Expect complete healing without complications. Allow about 1 month for recovery from surgery.

Postoperative Care

GENERAL MEASURES---Bathe and shower as usual, but keep any skin wounds dry with bandages for the first 2 or 3 days after surgery. If a bandage gets wet, change it promptly.

MEDICATION--You may use non--prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, to relieve minor pain.

ACTIVITY---No restrictions.

DIET---No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

† Pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding increases in the surgical area.

• You develop signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling and fever.
• Vaginal discharge increases and is odorous.