Conization of the uterine cervix: does the level of gynecologist's training predict margin status?

Risk Factors for Positive Margins in High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia After Transformation Zone Excision

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors for positive margins on surgical specimens of patients submitted to transformation zone excision (TZE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study evaluating women submitted to TZE in our center, between 2012 and 2020. Our study population included only women with the diagnosis of high-grade intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) in the pathologic examination of the TZE surgical specimen. Positive margins were defined as the presence of HSIL in the endocervical and/or ectocervical margin of the specimen. Factors evaluated included demographic characteristics, pretreatment Pap smear and human papillomavirus test, colposcopic findings, TZE indication, and pathologic features of the surgical specimen. We performed univariate analysis and logistic regression modeling including variables associated with the outcome of positive margins in the univariate analysis.

RESULTS

Our sample included 264 women, with a 15.2% positive margins rate (40 patients). In the univariate analysis, patients with immunocompromised status, HSIL Pap smear, and higher number of quadrants involved in colposcopic examination were more likely to have positive margins. After multivariate analysis, only immunocompromised status was found to be an independent risk factor (odds ratio = 4.94; 95% CI = 1.43-17.15; p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Immunocompromised status was the sole significant predictor for positive margins in TZE surgical specimens. To our knowledge, this is the first report of immunodepression as a risk factor for positive margins in cervical excisional procedures.

Construction and Evaluation of a Clinical Prediction Scoring System for Positive Cervical Margins Under Colposcopy

Introduction

Currently, the commonly used surgical methods for cervical lesions include loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and cold knife conization (CKC). However, the positive rate of surgical margins after LEEP is relatively high, which leads to disease recurrence and places further demand on clinical treatment. This study investigated factors related to positive margins after LEEP and established a scoring system to enhance preoperative risk assessment and surgical selection.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 411 patients undergoing LEEP surgery for cervical lesions in the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), from January 2016 to March 2021, was performed. Cases were divided into a negative margin group (349 cases) and a positive margin group according to postoperative pathology. In the positive group (62 cases), single-factor and multi-factor analyses screened influencing factors; a logistic and additive scoring system was established; furthermore, a ROC curve was used to evaluate scoring effectiveness.

Results

The positive rate of resection margins after LEEP was 15.1%. Univariate analysis indicated a relationship to patient age, menopause, preoperative ThinPrep Cytology Test (TCT) results, lesion quadrant number under colposcopy, cervical biopsy, and the result of endocervical curettage (ECC). Multivariate analysis showed that age >35 y, menopause, preoperative TCT being high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), four quadrants being involved under colposcopy, and ECC being HSIL were all independent influencing factors of positive margins after LEEP (P < 0.05). These were included with the above factors to establish a logistic and additive scoring system. When the logistic score was 17, the sensitivity and specificity of predicting positive margins after LEEP were 80.6 and 61.6%, respectively. When the additive score was 6, the sensitivity and specificity were 74.2 and 66.2%, respectively. Both scoring systems had good predictability (area under the curve AUC >0.75).

Conclusions

This study quantified factors influencing positive margins after LEEP and established a scoring system for evaluating patients before surgery to provide a basis for individualized treatment and selection of surgical methods.

Evaluation of Factors Affecting Margin Positivity and Persistent Disease After Leep for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Background

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is the precursor lesion of cervical cancer. Untreated high-grade CIN significantly increases the risk of developing invasive cancer. Conization is the main treatment. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is the most common conization method used. The study aims to assess the risk factors associated with positive margin and persistent disease after LEEP for CIN.

Materials and Methods

A total of 156 patients who underwent LEEP during 2011-2018 included in the study. We analyzed the socio-demographic characteristics, colposcopy details, dimensions of LEEP specimen (thickness, length, volume) and histopathology (margin positivity, grade). Persistent disease was histologically confirmed by repeat LEEP and hysterectomy.

Results

Margin positivity was noted in 33.3% (52) patients. Residual disease was noted in 26.2% (41) of the patients who had undergone a repeat LEEP or hysterectomy. There was a significant association between margin positivity and Swede score of 5 or more, a high-grade lesion on IFCPC score, inner margin involvement, LEEP done in a single pass. The cutoff for margin positivity was length of 0.513 cm and thickness of 0.35 cm. A significant association between residual disease and margin positivity, postmenopausal status, Swede score of 5 or more, high-grade lesion on IFCPC score, inner margin involvement was observed. The chance of residual disease was less if the cone specimen had minimum length of 0.775 cm and minimum thickness of 0.65 cm.

Conclusion

When in doubt regarding the margins, it is always better to perform multiple passes for lesions with a high Swede score with an initial smear of HSIL. Postmenopausal women with inner margin positivity have a high chance of residual disease and should be either kept on close follow-up or consider a repeat procedure.

The effects of different instruments and suture methods of conization for cervical lesions

This study is to compare the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing cold knife conization (CKC) versus electrosurgical conization (ESC). Among 10,086 patients in a single center admitted between January 2000 and January 2019, CKS or ESC was used for grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN3) or more severe lesions. Modified Sturmdorf or Figure-of-eight sutures were applied after conization. A regression model was used to determine the risk factors for margin involvement and short-term post-operative complications. In total, 7275 (72.1%) and 2811 (27.9%) patients underwent CKC and ESC, respectively. Women who underwent ESC were older and had a higher risk of margin involvement and endocervical glandular involvement than those who underwent CKC in univariate analysis. However, in the multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.032, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.025–1.038) and glandular involvement (OR 2.196, 95% CI 1.915–2.517) were the independent risk factors associated with margin involvement, but the incision methods used caused no significant difference. Modified Sturmdorf sutures and Figure-of-eight sutures were applied in 3520 (34.9%) and 6566 (65.1%) patients, respectively. The modified Sturmdorf sutures was the only risk factor associated with wound hemorrhage (OR 1.852, 95% CI 1.111–3.085) after adjusted with other epidemiological and surgical factors. Various incision or suture methods had similar risk of cervical stenosis. Therefore, ESC is an acceptable alternative to CKC for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical lesions regarding the pathologic accuracy and integrity, and short-term safety. Modified Sturmdorf sutures increased the risk of wound hemorrhage compared with Figure-of-eight sutures.

Can we predict surgical margin positivity while performing cervical excisional procedures?

We designed this study to evaluate any factors associated with positive surgical margin in conisation specimens and to determine the optimal cone size. The medical records of patients who had undergone a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cold-knife conisation (CKC) and needle excision of the transformation zone (NETZ) procedure were reviewed retrospectively. Two hundred and sixty eight women fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Univariate analyses showed that 'postmenopause', 'HSIL on smear', 'previous colposcopic examination revealing HSIL in endocervical curettage (ECC) material and in two or more ectocervical quadrants' and 'managing with LEEP' were significant predictors of surgical margin positivity. Nulliparous patients showed significantly lower rate of surgical margin positivity. 'Postmenopause', 'previous colposcopic examination revealing HSIL in ECC material and in two or more ectocervical quadrants' and 'HSIL on smear' were identified as independent predictors of surgical margin positivity according to multivariate analyses.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Previous studies demonstrated 'menopause', 'Age ≥50', 'managing with LEEP', 'disease involving >2/3 of cervix at visual inspection', 'training level of the surgeon', 'cytology squamous cell carcinoma' and 'mean cone height' as factors associated with positive surgical margin in conisation specimens.What do the results of this study add? In our study, univariate analyses showed that 'postmenopause', 'HSIL on smear', 'previous colposcopic examination revealing HSIL in endocervical curettage material and in two or more ectocervical quadrants' and 'managing with LEEP' were associated with surgical margin positivity. On the other hand, nulliparous women showed significantly lower rate of surgical margin positivity compared with parous women. Multivariate analyses showed that 'postmenopause', 'previous colposcopic examination revealing HSIL in endocervical curettage material and in two or more ectocervical quadrants' and 'HSIL on smear' were independent predictors of surgical margin positivity in conisation specimens.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? We can predict high-risk patients with regard to surgical margin positivity. Prediction of high-risk patients and management with a tailored approach may help minimise surgical margin positivity rates.

Influence of training level on cervical cone size and resection margin status at conization: a retrospective study

Objective

To explore whether a surgeon’s training level influences the rate of incomplete resections or the amount of resected cervical tissue in women treated with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).

Methods

The present study is a retrospective analysis of the data of women who had undergone LLETZ for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) within the years 2004–2008 at the Medical University of Vienna. Women were grouped according to the level of training of the operating surgeon (i.e, resident or staff gynecologist) and univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for excessive cone volume, depth and incomplete resection (i.e., positive resection margin).

Results

Data of 912 women were analysed. Residents had a significantly larger cone volume [median 2681 (interquartile range 1472–4109) mm³] than staff gynecologists [2094 (1309–3402) mm³] (p = 0.001) in univariate analysis. The depth of resection and the rate of incomplete resection were comparable between both groups. In a binary logistic multivariable analysis, the level of training as well as patient’s age was significantly associated with a cone volume larger than 2500 mm³.

Conclusion

Conization performed by residents as opposed to staff gynecologists does not compromise the procedure’s effectiveness but may expose women to a potential additional risk for adverse obstetrical outcomes due to excessive resection of cervical tissue.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00404-018-4761-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Incomplete excision of cervical precancer as a predictor of treatment failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Incomplete excision of cervical precancer is associated with therapeutic failure and is therefore considered as a quality indicator of clinical practice. Conversely, the risk of preterm birth is reported to correlate with size of cervical excision and therefore balancing the risk of adequate treatment with iatrogenic harm is challenging. We reviewed the literature with an aim to reveal whether incomplete excision, reflected by presence of precancerous tissue at the section margins, or post-treatment HPV testing are accurate predictors of treatment failure.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk of therapeutic failure associated with the histological status of the margins of the tissue excised to treat cervical precancer. We estimated the accuracy of the margin status to predict occurrence of residual or recurrent high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade two or worse (CIN2+) and compared it with post-treatment high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. We searched for published systematic reviews and new references from PubMed-MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL and did also a new search spanning the period Jan 1, 1975, until Feb 1, 2016. Studies were eligible if women underwent treatment by excision of a histologically confirmed CIN2+ lesion, with verification of presence or absence of CIN at the resection margins; were tested by cytology or HPV assay between 3 months and 9 months after treatment; and had subsequent follow-up of at least 18 months post-treatment including histological confirmation of the occurrence of CIN2+. Primary endpoints were the proportion of positive section margins and the occurrence of treatment failure associated with the marginal status, in which treatment failure was defined as occurrence of residual or recurrent CIN2+. Information about positive resection margins and subsequent treatment failure was pooled using procedures for meta-analysis of binomial data and analysed using random-effects models.

FINDINGS

97 studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis and included 44 446 women treated for cervical precancer. The proportion of positive margins was 23·1% (95% CI 20·4-25·9) overall and varied by treatment procedure (ranging from 17·8% [12·9-23·2] for laser conisation to 25·9% [22·3-29·6] for large loop excision of the transformation zone) and increased by the severity of the treated lesion. The overall risk of residual or recurrent CIN2+ was 6·6% (95% CI 4·9-8·4) and was increased with positive compared with negative resection margins (relative risk 4·8, 95% CI 3·2-7·2). The pooled sensitivity and specificity to predict residual or recurrent CIN2+ was 55·8% (95% CI 45·8-65·5) and 84·4% (79·5-88·4), respectively, for the margin status, and 91·0% (82·3-95·5) and 83·8% (77·7-88·7), respectively, for high-risk HPV testing. A negative high-risk HPV test post treatment was associated with a risk of CIN2+ of 0·8%, whereas this risk was 3·7% when margins were free.

INTERPRETATION

The risk of residual or recurrent CIN2+ is significantly greater with involved margins on excisional treatment; however, high-risk HPV post-treatment predicts treatment failure more accurately than margin status.

FUNDING

European Federation for Colposcopy and Institut national du Cancer (INCA).

The Role of Surgeons' Colposcopic Experience in Obtaining Adequate Samples by Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone in Women of Reproductive Age

Introduction: There is insufficient reporting on the level of colposcopic training for the safe use of large loop excision of the transformation zone. The aim of this study was to perform a quality assessment of large loop excision of the transformation zone in women of reproductive age by evaluating the surgeons' colposcopic experience. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on diagnostic or therapeutic large loop excision of the transformation zone. The following variables were analyzed: age, parity, indications for surgery, level of surgeon's colposcopic experience, definitive histological diagnosis, margin involvement, and the presence and type of artifacts interfering with the pathological interpretation. Patients were divided into three groups: group A - 75 patients treated by junior colposcopists; group B - 74 patients treated by experienced colposcopists, and group C - 117 patients treated by expert colposcopists. Results: Regarding the presence and diagnostic significance of the artifacts the groups were significantly different. Inadequate samples were the least frequent in group C. Artifacts precluding histological diagnosis were the most common in group A. The margins were predominantly inconclusive in group A. Conclusions: A high rate of artifacts is a disadvantage of the large loop excision of the transformation zone performed by surgeons less skilled for colposcopy. Although large loop excision of the transformation zone is considered to be a minor surgery, skills in colposcopy are an essential prerequisite for optimal results.

Clinical Implication of p16, Ki-67, and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Expression in Cervical Neoplasia: Improvement of Diagnostic Accuracy for High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion and Prediction of Resection Margin Involvement on Conization Specimen

Background:

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grading is subjective and affected by substantial rates of discordance among pathologists. Although the use of p16INK4a (p16) staining has been proven to improve diagnostic accuracy for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), the clinical evidence for use of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is insufficient to make an independent recommendation for use, alone or in combination. The primary objective was to evaluate clinical utility of Ki-67 and PCNA in combination with p16 in diagnosing HSIL. Also, we assessed the correlation between expressions of three biomarkers and resection margin status of conization specimen.

Methods:

The expressions of p16, Ki-67, and PCNA were evaluated by immunohistochemical methods in 149 cervical tissues encompassing 17 negative lesion, 31 CIN 1, 25 CIN 2, 41 CIN 3, and 35 invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The immunohistochemical staining results were classified into four grades: 0, 1+, 2+ and 3+.

Results:

The expression of three biomarkers was positively associated with CIN grade. Ki-67 immunostaining did not increase the accuracy of HSIL diagnosis when combined with p16 immunostaining compared with p16 immunostaining alone. In contrast, combining the staining results for p16 and PCNA (p16 = 3+ and PCNA ≥2+) increased its specificity (66.7% vs. 75.0%, P = 0.031) without decrease of its sensitivity (98.7% vs. 98.7%) for diagnosis of CIN 3 and more sever lesion. Subgroup analysis for conization specimen with CIN 2 and CIN 3 showed that positive Ki-67 immunostaining was an independent risk factor for predicting resection margin positivity (odds ratio = 6.52, 95% confidence interval 1.07–39.64).

Conclusions:

We found that the combined use of p16 and PCNA immunostaining enhanced diagnostic accuracy for HSIL. Positive Ki-67 immunostaining was associated with incomplete excision.

[Ultrasonographic evaluation of the uterine cervix length remaining after LOOP-excision]

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether there is a correlation between the length of a conization specimen and the length of the cervix measured by vaginal ultrasonography after the operation

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospective observational study including patients less than 45 years with measurement of cervical length before and the day of the conization, and measuring the histological length of the specimen.

RESULTS

Among the 40 patients enrolled, the average ultrasound measurements before conization was 26.9 mm (± 4.9 mm) against 18.1mm (± 4.4mm) after conization with a mean difference of 8.8mm (± 2.4mm) (difference statistically significant P<.0001). The extent of histological specimen was 9 mm (± 2.2mm) on average. A correlation between ultrasound and histological measurements with a correlation coefficient R=0.85 was found statistically significant (P<0.0001). Moreover, the rate of cervix length remove by loop-excision in our series is 33% (± 8.5%).

DISCUSSION

A good correlation between the measurements of the specimen and the cervical ultrasound length before and after conization was found, as a significant reduction in cervical length after conization. The precise length of the specimen should be known in case of pregnancy and the prevention of prematurity due to conization rests on selected indications and efficient surgical technique.