Cryosurgery is a type of surgery that involves the use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissues, such as tumors.
The surgery most often involves the use of liquid nitrogen, although carbon dioxide and argon may also be used. When liquid nitrogen has a temperature between -346 and -320°F, it instantly freezes nearly anything that’s in contact with it. In the case of human tissue, it can kill and destroy cells upon contact. This is important when the cells you want to kill are cancerous.
Cryosurgery is typically used for tumors or precancerous lesions found on your skin. However, some tumors inside the body can be treated this way as well.Cryosurgery, also called cryotherapy, is similar to the technique used when doctors freeze off warts using liquid nitrogen spray.

Cryosurgery risks

Cryosurgery does have risks, but they’re considered lower than other cancer treatments, such as surgery and radiation.
The risks associated with cryosurgery include:
● blisters
● damage to nearby healthy tissue or vessels
● infection
● a loss of sensation if nerves are affected
● pain
● scarring
● ulcers
● skin discoloration

Following up after cryosurgery

After most cryosurgeries, you can go home the same day.
After the procedure, you’ll need to care for any incision wounds or places where the skin has been frozen. Care typically involves keeping the area clean and changing the bandages to prevent infection.
You’ll have follow-up appointments in which your doctor will determine how successful your treatment was, if you have any complications, and whether you’ll need more cryotherapy.

Takeaway

Cryosurgery is a procedure that doctors use to treat skin cancer, skin lesions, and… . Extreme cold is used to destroy abnormal tissue such as tumors.
There are some cryosurgery risks such as blisters, pain, and scarring, but the benefits typically outweigh the negatives. A medical professional will determine if you are a candidate for cryosurgery.

How to prepare for a cryosurgery ?

Your preparation for cryosurgery depends on the type being performed. Cryosurgery for skin cancer, which is the main reason cryosurgery is used, requires little preparation on your part.

Your doctor will place liquid nitrogen on your skin using a cotton swab or spray. A numbing medicine may be used to prevent pain or discomfort.
The liquid nitrogen is fed to the area under treatment and applied to the targeted cells. The cells freeze, die, and then will be slowly absorbed by your body.

Cryosurgery is used to treat tumors on the skin, as well as certain tumors inside the body. Cryosurgery may also be called cryotherapy or cryoablation.

Cryosurgery is a minimally invasive treatment. Compared to traditional surgery, it usually has less pain and bleeding and a lower risk of damaging healthy tissue near the abnormal cells.

Cryosurgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and is often preferred to more traditional kinds of surgery because of its minimal pain, scarring, and cost; however, as with any medical treatment, there are risks involved, primarily that of damage to nearby healthy tissue.

Immediately after treatment, pain and swelling may occur for 1-2 hours. The treated site then darkens (brown, brown-red, or even blue) within 24 – 48 hours. If the freezing was extensive enough, a blister (or blood blister) may develop. If blistering is severe, the area may weep for several days.

Healing takes 1-3 weeks, after which the skin may look perfectly normal or slightly lighter in color. oozing from the site, or if the site becomes thickened or raised, contact our clinic immediately

Don't use scented soap, makeup, or lotion on the treated area until it's fully healed. This will usually be at least 10 days after your procedure.

Wounds heal best when kept covered and moist. Avoid crusting or scabbing. If the skin is opened, clean the area twice a day with clean water (clean tap water or normal saline) and apply an ointment (Vaseline).

Blisters are a common result of cryotherapy treatment and may appear in the first few hours. This is a sign of effective treatment: the skin cancer or solar keratosis has separated from the healthy skin and will replaced by normal tissue as the blister heals.