Cryosurgery is used in dermatology for the treatment of diffirent lesions. This technique induces cellular destruction by freezing. The mechanisms of injury by the freezing of tissue include direct effects on the cells and the vascular stasis that develops in the tissue after thawing.
The coldest temperature needed for the destruction depends on the kind of treated lesion.
To perform cryosurgery, a cryosurgical device, a cryogen, and accessories are needed. The most common cryogen used in cryosurgery is liquid nitrogen.
There are different cryosurgical techniques. The effect of cold on the human tissue will depend on the size of the treated are a and the length of time needed for each lesion.
The reactions after freezing include erythema, vesiculation, edema, and exudation.
This treatment is quite simple, of very low cost and produces no risk to the patient.
The number of complications after cryosurgery is low, however, in sorne cases, they are temporary or permanent.
Apt, P. ., Muñoz, P. ., & Zemelman, V. . (2001). Criocirugía en dermatología. Revista Hospital Clínico Universidad De Chile, 12(3), pp. 235–40. https://doi.org/10.5354/2735-7996.2001.79787
