The History of Cryosurgery

The controlled destruction of tissue by freezing is today widely practised in medicine. Terms for it include cryotherapy, cryocautery, cryocongelation and cryogenic surgery, but cryosurgery (literally, cold handiwork) seems most appropriate. Cryosurgery is a cheap, easy, and safe treatment suitable for both hospital and office based practice. Its major advantage is excellent cosmetic results with minimal scarring. The benefits of cold have been appreciated for many thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians, and later Hippocrates, were aware of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of cold. Over the past 200 years cold treatment has evolved from generalized application such as hydrotherapy (Figure 1) to specific, focal destruction of tissue—today's cryosurgery. Figure 1 A man self-administering hydrotherapy. Wellcome Library, London