cryocautery

Cryocautery is a medical technique that destroys tissue by applying extreme cold. The approach relies on cryogenic temperatures to induce cellular injury and tissue necrosis, with the freezing process also helping to control bleeding. In practice, a cryoprobe or spray of liquid nitrogen is used to deliver targeted cold to the lesion, and the depth of effect is influenced by application time and any freeze–thaw cycles.

The mechanism of action involves rapid ice crystal formation, disruption of cell membranes, and vascular stasis within the frozen zone. The surrounding tissue is usually spared to some extent by careful targeting, but depth and margins can vary. In some settings, cryocautery is designed to produce hemostasis through the same freezing phenomenon, minimizing the need for additional cautery.

Cryocautery has been applied in various medical fields, particularly for small and superficial lesions. In dermatology, it has been used to treat warts, seborrheic keratoses, and other benign skin lesions, as well as selected precancerous conditions. In other specialties, it has historically served as a method for lesion destruction and bleeding control on mucosal surfaces or other exposed tissues. The use of cryocautery varies by practitioner and setting, and newer modalities such as laser or conventional cryotherapy may be preferred for some indications.

Risks and limitations include unintended injury to adjacent tissue, scarring or pigmentary changes, blistering, infection, and incomplete removal with potential recurrence. It is typically performed by trained clinicians, and patient selection and technique are important to balancing efficacy and safety.

See also: cryotherapy, cryosurgery, cautery.