| Exodontia.Info |
| Cryotherapy |
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery, is a commonly
used procedure for the treatment of a variety of skin
lesions ranging from salivary mucocœles to
hæmangiomata to rodent ulcers.
It is a safe and easy to use treatment.
How does it work?
Cryotherapy treatment is a carefully controlled cold burn,
using liquid nitrogen (liquid nitrogen is a cold, liquefied gas
with a temperature of - 196º C).
It is used to destroy abnormal skin cells that require
removal such as keratoses, warts, pre-cancers and some
malignant growths such as squamous cell and basal cell
skin cancers.
The goal of cryotherapy is to freeze and destroy a targeted
skin / mouth growth as quickly as possible, then allowing it
to thaw slowly causing maximum destruction of the
abnormal skin cells while leaving the surrounding skin free
from injury. Once the affected cells die off, the treated
area heals over.
There may be some side-effects (see below) but these are
usually minor and short-lived.
Sometimes lesions need to be treated several times before
resolution.
How is Cryotherapy carried out?
A local anæsthetic is used to numb the area before
freezing. This is either done using a local anæsthetic
cream or injection. A metal probe cooled by liquid nitrogen
is then applied to the lesion for a period of time and then
allowed to thaw out. This can be repeated several times.
The treated area may be sore afterwards so you are
advised to take painkillers before the local anæsthetic
wears off (approximately 1.5 – 2 hours later).
Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery, is a commonly
used procedure for the treatment of a variety of skin
lesions ranging from salivary mucocœles to
hæmangiomata to rodent ulcers.
It is a safe and easy to use treatment.
How does it work?
Cryotherapy treatment is a carefully controlled cold burn,
using liquid nitrogen (liquid nitrogen is a cold, liquefied gas
with a temperature of - 196º C).
It is used to destroy abnormal skin cells that require
removal such as keratoses, warts, pre-cancers and some
malignant growths such as squamous cell and basal cell
skin cancers.
The goal of cryotherapy is to freeze and destroy a targeted
skin / mouth growth as quickly as possible, then allowing it
to thaw slowly causing maximum destruction of the
abnormal skin cells while leaving the surrounding skin free
from injury. Once the affected cells die off, the treated
area heals over.
There may be some side-effects (see below) but these are
usually minor and short-lived.
Sometimes lesions need to be treated several times before
resolution.
How is Cryotherapy carried out?
A local anæsthetic is used to numb the area before
freezing. This is either done using a local anæsthetic
cream or injection. A metal probe cooled by liquid nitrogen
is then applied to the lesion for a period of time and then
allowed to thaw out. This can be repeated several times.
The treated area may be sore afterwards so you are
advised to take painkillers before the local anæsthetic
wears off (approximately 1.5 – 2 hours later).
| Photo of a Cryoprobe |
What are the possible side effects of Cryotherapy?
As with any procedure, complications can occur.
Complications can be divided into acute, short-term and
long-term.
Useful Websites:
www.emedicine.com/derm/topic553.htm
www.bad.org.uk/public/leaflets/cryotherapy.asp
As with any procedure, complications can occur.
Complications can be divided into acute, short-term and
long-term.
- Side-effects you may experience straight away include
headache, pain, excessive granulation tissue
formation, infection and blister formation.
- Take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen for pain relief.
The blister will rupture and scab over. Just try not to
traumatise the area and let it heal.
- Side-effects you may experience after a few days
include bleeding, infection, and excessive granulation
tissue formation. If these happen, get in touch with the
dentist / oral surgeon.
- Longer side effects that are not permanent include skin
tags, increased pigmentation of the skin and change in
sensation.
- Permanent side-effects include thinning out of the skin,
scarring and localised change of skin colour (it may
become red or white).
Useful Websites:
www.emedicine.com/derm/topic553.htm
www.bad.org.uk/public/leaflets/cryotherapy.asp
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