n. the use of extreme cold in a localized part of the body to freeze and destroy unwanted tissues. Cryosurgery is usually undertaken with an instrument called a cryoprobe, which has a fine tip cooled by allowing carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide gas to expand within it. Cryosurgery is commonly used for the treatment of retinal detachment (see cryoretinopexy), the destruction of certain bone tumours, and the obliteration of skin blemishes.... cryosurgery
Health Encyclopedia