Publication:

What is better: cryocautery or electrocautery for cervical erosion?

Background Present study was conducted with a background in mind to compare the efficacy of electrocautery and cryocautery for the management of cervical erosion. Aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of electrocautery and cryocautery for the treatment of cervical erosion and to check cost effectiveness.

Methods A comparative study was conducted at Maharishi Markandeshwar medical college and hospital, Kumarhatti (Solan) between July’13 to June’14 among 100 patients of reproductive age group with cervical erosion. They were grouped into 2 groups A (Electrocautery) & B (Cryocautery) and data obtained was analysed by paired t-test.

Results Though in short- term follow-up at 4-6 weeks after cautery, apparently electrocautery was superior to cryocautery in terms of erosion healing rate 92% vs. 76% as P value (0.4557) is not statistically significant, but in long-term follow-up at 12-14 weeks there was no significant difference in erosion healing but electrocautery was cost effective.

Conclusions Both types of cautery were equally good for treatment of cervical erosion in long-term follow-up. But electrocautery occupies less space and there is no chance of gas leakage in electrocautery, so electrocautery is more cost effective.