Which gas is commonly used for cryosurgery?

Cryosurgery typically involves the application of extremely cold temperatures to destroy abnormal tissues, such as tumors or lesions. The gas most commonly used for this purpose is nitrous oxide, which can easily be converted to a liquid form and then vaporized to achieve the necessary low temperatures.

Nitrous oxide is effective due to its physical properties, including a relatively low boiling point, which allows it to remain in a liquid state under pressure until it is released, at which point it rapidly evaporates and cools further. This drastic cooling effect makes it particularly useful during cryosurgical procedures, enabling precise targeting of tissue without extensive damage to surrounding healthy cells.

In the context of cryosurgery, the other choices are less suitable. Oxygen is primarily used for respiratory support and does not have the necessary cooling properties. Hydrogen is flammable and poses safety risks in medical applications. Neon, although it has applications in some cooling systems, is not commonly utilized in medical cryosurgery.