OverviewThermal ablation, also called “cold coagulation” or thermocoagulation, is an ablative treatment for CIN. The equipment is simple, lightweight (devices can weigh much less than 2 kg), and is easily portable to low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) field clinics. Treatment is based on a 20–40 second application (multiple if needed) of a reusable metallic probe that is electrically heated to approximately 100 °C, leading to epithelial and stromal destruction. Like cryotherapy, thermal ablation is provided by a variety of health care personnel, including primary health care workers, and typically performed without anesthesia. The objectives of these guidelines are: - to provide evidence-based guidance on the use of thermal ablation to treat cervical precancer; and
- to support countries to update their national guidelines for the use of thermal ablation for cervical precancer.
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