Everything You Want To Know About Cervical Cryosurgery

Cervical cryosurgery, also known as cervical cryotherapy, involves freezing small regions of aberrant tissue in the cervix to eliminate cells and prevent them from becoming malignant. This procedure is most commonly used to treat cervical dysplasia, which is a precancerous alteration in the cervix. The treatment could also be utilized to treat other gynecological problems caused by superficial cellular alterations.

How is cervical cryosurgery performed?

Cervical cryotherapy involves the use of a cryoprobe—a long, slender surgical equipment with a pointed tip that produces a very cold temperature—to a small portion of the inner cervical lining. The targeted tissue freezes and decomposes as a result.

This does not necessitate an incision. The probe is instead placed into the vagina until it reaches the cervix (also known as the birth canal, which is positioned right before the uterus). The cold is commonly produced by liquid nitrogen or compressed argon gas, which is pumped into the probe once it is in place.

This treatment is performed while you are still conscious. There is no need for anesthesia. However, your healthcare practitioner may advise you to take a pain reliever at home before your treatment and may employ a local anesthetic.

Contraindications

If your doctor is convinced that your cervical dysplasia is very limited and has been definitively recognized, cryosurgery may be a possibility for you. However, if you have a pelvic infection, the procedure must be postponed until the infection has completely cleared.

However, since cryosurgery only freezes the cervix's superficial cells, it is not indicated in circumstances when the doctor is aware of or suspects the possibility of changes in deeper tissue.

But if your cervical changes are located deeper in the cervix, a cone biopsy is recommended instead.

Risks

Cervical cryosurgery is generally regarded as safe, while problems such as excessive bleeding, infection, discharge, and pain may occur.

If you don't avoid inserting anything into your vagina for two weeks after the treatment, your chance of problems will be considerably increased.

And if you will have any problems, you should seek medical help as soon as possible to avoid long-term concerns such as cervical scarring, chronic pelvic pain, or pelvic pain during or after sex.

Cervical cryotherapy can cause: 

- uterine contractions for several days after the procedure 

- increased risk of miscarriage if you are already pregnant

- fainting

- the flare-up of an existing pelvic infection

- heavy bleeding

- freeze burns in the vagina

Purpose of cervical cryosurgery

Cervical cryosurgery is used to treat and prevent disease of the lower section of the cervix by removing the affected tissue directly. It is minimally invasive and is used when the problem only affects the top layers of the inner cervical lining.

The most common rationale for cervical cryosurgery is cervical dysplasia, which might be diagnosed based on a regular Pap screening or verified by a colposcopy with biopsy.

When cells are inspected under a microscope, they show signs of dysplasia. This is caused by gene changes, which can occur for no apparent reason or as a result of sexually transmitted infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV).

Dysplastic cells are more likely to develop into malignant cells. Cervical cryosurgery removes small patches of aberrant tissue, preventing the cells from becoming cancerous. 74% of the time, the surgery removes all aberrant cervical tissue.

Cervical cryosurgery is also used to treat cervical warts and cervicitis (cervical inflammation). These illnesses are not as deadly as cervical cancer, but they are uncomfortable and can lead to complications such as bleeding or infections.

Recovery

You can resume driving, walking, and exercising immediately. Unless difficulties arise, you should not require pain medication or a procedure follow-up appointment.