Treatment of chronic cervicitis by cryotherapy

Abstract

The preliminary experience with the use of cold cauterization for the treatment of 102 patients with cervicitis is reported. Cautery was achieved by the use of liquid nitrogen as the refrigerant which was delivered through a special cervical probe. Treatment was carried out in the outpatient department without analgesia or anesthesia. The typical case required freezing at −160° C. for 120 seconds to treat an area of cervicitis of approximately 4 cm.2. Significantly, the majority of patients experienced only mild discomfort during the freezing process. Changes in parameters such as coital pain, postcoital bleeding, vaginal discharge, and systemic symptomatology were noted. The surface of the cervix was measured, and the diameter of the cervical canal determined before treatment and after completion of healing. No serious complications have occurred, and no patients have complained of systemic symptomatology. Healing was virtually complete in nearly all patients 8 weeks after freezing. Cryosurgery seems to have a place in the treatment of cervicitis.