Cryotherapy is an office procedure done while the patient is awake. The vaginal canal is held open so that the cervix can be seen. The cryo probe is inserted into the vagina, and placed firmly on the surface of the cervix, covering the abnormal tissue. Compressed gaseous nitrogen (temperature approximately -50 degrees Celsius) flows through the instrument, making the metal cold enough to freeze and destroy the tissue. Although some slight cramping may occur, cryosurgery is relatively painless, and produces very little scarring. An "ice ball" forms on the cervix, killing the superficial abnormal cells. For optimal treatment, the freezing is done for 3 minutes, the cervix is allowed to thaw, then the freezing is repeated for an additional 3 minutes.
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