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Cryotherapy for hemorrhoids

In this procedure, a chemical (liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide) is applied to the hemorrhoid to freeze it for 2 to 4 minutes.

After the tissue thaws, it dies and falls off, and a scar forms on the wall of the anal canal. The scar tissue holds nearby veins in place so they don't bulge into the anal canal.

This treatment is seldom done. In fact, some experts believe cryotherapy should be avoided due to excessive posttreatment symptoms.1

Citations

  1. Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (2004). SSAT Patient Care Guidelines: Surgical Management of Hemorrhoids. Available online: http://www.ssat.com/cgi-bin/hemorr.cgi?affiliation=other&referer.

Author Monica Rhodes
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Brent Shoji, MD
- General Surgery
Last Updated October 10, 2006

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: October 10, 2006
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