Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Cryoablation
Cryoablation
-
Skin tumors. These are abnormal growths of cells on the skin.
-
Knots of tissue called nodules that are benign. This means that they are not cancerous.
-
Retinoblastoma. This is a type of eye cancer.
-
Cancers of the prostate, liver, kidney, cervix, lung, and bone.
Tell a health care provider about:
-
Any allergies you have.
-
All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
-
Any problems you or family members have had with anesthesia.
-
Any bleeding problems you have.
-
Any surgeries you have had.
-
Any medical conditions you have.
-
Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
-
Infection.
-
Bleeding.
-
Swelling.
-
Allergic reactions to medicines.
-
Damage to nearby structures or organs. In rare cases, there may be damage to nerves. This can cause numbness.
What happens before the procedure?
When to stop eating and drinking
-
8 hours before your procedure
-
Stop eating most foods. Do not eat meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
-
Eat only light foods, such as toast or crackers.
-
All liquids are okay except energy drinks and alcohol.
-
-
6 hours before your procedure
-
Stop eating.
-
Drink only clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, plain tea, and sports drinks.
-
Do not drink energy drinks or alcohol.
-
-
2 hours before your procedure
-
Stop drinking all liquids.
-
You may be allowed to take medicines with small sips of water.
-
If you do not follow your health care provider’s instructions, your procedure may be delayed or canceled.
Medicines
-
Changing or stopping your regular medicines. These include any diabetes medicines or blood thinners you take.
-
Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take them unless your health care provider tells you to.
-
Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
Tests
-
Blood tests.
-
Imaging tests.
Surgery safety
-
How your surgery site will be marked.
-
What steps will be taken to help prevent infection. These may include:
-
Removing hair at the surgery site.
-
Washing skin with a soap that kills germs.
-
Receiving antibiotics.
-
General instructions
-
Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco for at least 4 weeks before the procedure. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
-
If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have a responsible adult:
-
Take you home from the hospital or clinic. You will not be allowed to drive.
-
Care for you for the time you are told.
-
What happens during the procedure?
-
An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
-
You may be given:
-
A sedative. This helps you relax.
-
Anesthesia. This will:
-
Numb certain areas of your body.
-
Make you fall asleep for surgery.
-
-
-
A device called a cryoprobe will be used to freeze the growth. Liquid nitrogen or argon gas will flow through the device. How the device is put on the growth will depend on where the growth is in your body. The cryoprobe may be:
-
Applied directly to the area. This is often done for skin cancers and nodules.
-
Inserted through an incision into the area, such as the prostate.
-
Passed through a thin, long tube called an endoscope. The scope will allow the device to reach deeper spots in your body, such as the lungs or liver.
-
-
The cryoprobe may be guided using imaging. This may include an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
-
Liquid nitrogen or argon gas will be sent to the growth until it is frozen and destroyed.
-
If other areas need treatment, the process may be repeated on those areas.
-
The cryoprobe will be removed. Pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding.
-
If an incision was made, it will be closed with stitches (sutures) and covered with a bandage (dressing).
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
-
Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until you leave the hospital or clinic.
-
You will be given medicine to help with pain, nausea, and vomiting as needed.
-
If you were given a sedative during the procedure, it can affect you for several hours. Do not drive or operate machinery until your health care provider says that it is safe.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
