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Home Topics A–Z Liquid nitrogen/cryotherapy guidelines
Author: Procare Guidelines Group; Chief Editor: Dr Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 3 August 2014.
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These guidelines were provided to DermNet New Zealand by ProCare Health Limited, July 2014
These guidelines have been written for the use of ProCare member practices. No set of guidelines can cover all variations required for specific patient circumstances. It is the responsibility of the health care practitioners using these guidelines to adapt them for safe use within their institutions and for the individual needs of patients.
Cryotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an extremely cold liquid or instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue that requires elimination. It is also referred to as cryosurgery or cryoablation.
Medical practitioners and registered nurses who have been are trained to perform the procedure.
Treatment of malignant skin lesions by cryotherapy is not covered by this document.
*Diathermy may be more effective for acrochordons / fibroepithelial polyps
The following skin cancers may be suitable for cryotherapy if performed by a medical practitioner with appropriate training and where the lesion has been identified by biopsy:
Cryosurgery devices: (left) cotton-tipped applicator, (right) liquid nitrogen spray
Inform patient that the treated area:
If there are any signs of infection the patient should contact the practice**
**For example, increasing redness of surrounding skin, discharge, increasing pain
Cryotherapy
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