Cryosurgery
 

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery (also called cryotherapy) is the process of destroying diseased skin cells (lesions) by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. It may be used to treat conditions such as warts.

For cryotherapy, the skin may first be numbed with a local anesthetic. The liquid nitrogen is applied or sprayed onto the lesion and the immediate surrounding tissue. The application may be repeated.

Author: Jeannette Curtis
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS		Last Updated: May 25, 2007
Medical Review: Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
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