cryosurgery

the use of extreme cold to perform surgical procedures, usually on localized areas to remove unwanted tissue. The advantages are that there is little or no bleeding or sensation of pain, and scarring is very much reduced. An instrument called a cryoprobe is used, the fine tip of which is cooled by means of a coolant substance contained within the probe. The coolants used are carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide gas and liquid nitrogen. Cryosurgery is used for the removal of cataracts, warts and to destroy some bone tumours.