by Editorial Staff And Contributors
En Espaol (Spanish Version) Cervical cryosurgery is the use of extreme cold to freeze areas of the cervix. The cervix is the lower portion or the "neck" of the uterus.
The surgery involves the uterine cervix.
To kill and remove abnormal cells of the cervix, particularly precancerous cells.
2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Shower the morning of your procedure. You may want someone to drive you home.
No medications are usually given for this procedure. Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, are usually recommended and should be taken about an hour before your appointment.
There is no anesthesia used for this procedure.
You lie on an examination table, with your feet in stirrups as you would for a pelvic exam. A speculum is inserted into the vagina to hold it open. The cryosurgery probe is inserted into the vagina, and nitrous oxide makes the tip extremely cold. The tip is touched to abnormal areas on the cervix and held there for 3-5 minutes. You may feel some cramping at this point. The tip is then removed, allowing the tissue to return to its normal temperature over the course of 3-5 minutes. This freezing/thawing cycle may be repeated several times for each abnormal area on the cervix.
After ProcedureYou'll remain lying down for at least ten minutes after the procedure. Some women feel dizzy and/or flushed. How Long Will It Take?The process takes about 10-30 minutes. Will It Hurt?You'll probably feel some cramping during the procedure. Some women also describe a burning sensation. Possible ComplicationsDizziness, fainting, hot flashes (during or immediately after the procedure)Cramping (during the procedure)BleedingInfectionScarring or narrowing of the cervical opening Average Hospital StayA hospital stay is not required. Postoperative CareWear a sanitary pad to absorb the watery discharge that normally occurs for several weeks following cryosurgery.If needed, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat discomfort for a day or two after the procedure.Do not use tampons or douches. Do not have sexual intercourse for 4-6 weeks after cryosurgery. Your doctor will schedule pap smears every 3-4 months for the following year. For the second year they will be scheduled every six months. OutcomeThe abnormal tissue of the cervix should shed and flow out of the body in a watery vaginal discharge over 4-6 weeks. In some cases, more than one cryosurgery session may be scheduled.
Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following OccursSigns of infection, including fever and chillsAbdominal painVaginal bleeding, other than light spotting, especially if it saturates more than one pad per hourVaginal discharge with an unpleasant odorContinued pain or cramping not relieved by over-the-counter pain medications RESOURCES: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Healthhttp://nci.nih.gov The National Women's Health Information Centerhttp://www.4woman.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES: The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)http://www.sogc.org Women's Health Mattershttp://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/index.cfm References: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: http://www.acog.org/ . Procedures for Primary Care Physicians . Mosby-Year Book, Inc.;1994. Last reviewed March 2008 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPEPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
