Cryosurgery of the cervix is the freezing of a section of the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus where it attaches to the vagina.
Cryosurgery may be used to treat a woman who has: an inflamed cervix, called cervicitiscertain types of precancerous changes in the cervix. These changes are usually first detected from a Pap smear.some forms of cervical ectropion, a normal change in the position of the glands but which may sometimes cause a chronic or long-standing whitish or yellowish discharge.
This procedure can often be done in the doctor's office. First, an instrument called a speculum is used to hold the vaginal walls apart so that the cervix can be seen well. This instrument is also used during a regular Pap smear.
A bit of gel is then put on the cervix.
This helps create a good seal for a tool called a cryoprobe which is placed on the cervix.
The cryoprobe delivers liquid nitrogen, which is extremely cold, and freezes the cervix cells for about 3 to 5 minutes. After a wait of 2 to 3 minutes to let the cells warm up, they are frozen again for 3 to 5 minutes. This repeated freezing destroys the cells.
