Cervical Cryosurgery
Definition
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.
Reasons for Procedure
To kill and remove abnormal cells of the cervix, particularly precancerous cells.
Cervix with Pre-cancerous Growth
© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
Shower the morning of your procedure. You may want someone to drive you home.
During Procedure
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.
Anesthesia
There is no anesthesia used for this procedure.
Description of the 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 Procedure
You'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 Complications
- Dizziness, fainting, hot flashes (during or immediately after the procedure)
- Cramping (during the procedure)
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring or narrowing of the cervical opening
Average Hospital Stay
A hospital stay is not required.
Postoperative Care
- Wear 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.
Outcome
The 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 Occurs
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding, other than light spotting, especially if it saturates more than one pad per hour
- Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
- Continued pain or cramping not relieved by over-the-counter pain medications
RESOURCES:
National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
http://nci.nih.gov
The National Women's Health Information Center
http://www.4woman.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)
http://www.sogc.org
Women's Health Matters
http://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, FACPE
Please 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.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
