The
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"We treat people, not just problems." |
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John L. Pfenninger, M.D. |
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Lori Oswald, P.A.-C. |
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(989) 631-4545 |
Visit our Website at http://www.MPCenter.net
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Preoperative
Patient Education Handout |
Cryotherapy means treatment with extreme cold. The
area that is treated actually freezes and then falls off. There are several
different ways that the treatments can be carried out.
Liquid nitrogen is a -196°C. It can either be poured out into a styrofoam cup and applied with a
cotton-tipped applicator, or, sprayed onto the wound with a special
thermos-like gun.
Another method is to use nitrous oxide in a blue tank. This gas is a
-89°C and has a similar effect. It is less cold so it may take a little longer
to achieve the proper effect. A special unit with different types of points is
used to freeze the tissue.
A third method is to use some refrigerants that are compressed gas in a small can. These are around a -40-50°C and the
area to be treated is sprayed with this gas.
Cryotherapy offers several advantages. It is
very effective. Both benign and malignant (cancer) changes can be
treated. One of the advantages of using cryotherapy
is that the final result is generally cosmetically excellent. There is minimal
or no scarring. It is very quick and if there are only a few
lesions, relatively painless. If there are large lesions or numerous
lesions, the doctor may want to numb up the area first. Infection is extremely
rare and there is no bleeding. Postoperative care
is minimal except for washing the area three to four times a day with soap
and water and applying antibiotic ointment. Generally, patients can bathe and
go about their usual daily activities.
There are some disadvantages. The freezing does have some discomfort
associated with it as does the thawing. That’s why we will numb up the area if
there are large lesions or multiple lesions present. Many times the treated
area will not completely resolve and will need a second treatment. It is
difficult to treat areas where there is hair growth such as around the eyebrows
and eyelashes since hair may not grow back in the treated areas. Probably the
most significant "hassle factor" is that a blister will often
form. When this blister breaks, there is often a very heavy watery discharge.
You may need to return to the doctor’s office so that the area can be treated
to stop this discharge. Also, if the area treated is under clothing, this area
may stick to the clothes and cause discomfort. If you are a light-skinned
individual, cryotherapy is good for you. However, if
you are dark-skinned, the area treated may heal with a lighter color.
This may not be of concern if the area is usually covered, but if it is going
to be around the face or some other cosmetic area, then it may be best not to
do cryotherapy.
Preparation for the office visit
No real preparation is necessary for the office visit. You may want to take
Tylenol or 600-800 mg of ibuprofen just to help decrease the swelling
afterwards. Let the doctor know if you would prefer to have an injection to
numb up the area.
Who should not have cryotherapy?
If you have any type of arthritis condition, ulcerative colitis, glomerulonephritis, heart valve infection, syphilis, mono,
cytomegalovirus infection, hepatitis, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease,
Burger’s disease, are on steroids, or are known to have high levels of cryoglobulins, be sure that you doctor knows. You may be
much more sensitive to the freezing.
As stated above, if you are rather dark-skinned, you may want to choose another
method of treatment due to possible loss of color in the area treated.