Routine prophylactic application of Monsel's solution after loop electrosurgical excision procedure of the cervix: is it necessary?

Influence of General and Local Anesthesia on Postoperative Pain After a Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure

OBJECTIVE

To compare patient satisfaction, histopathologic results, and short-term morbidity in patients undergoing loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) under local anesthesia (LA) versus general anesthesia (GA).

METHODS

Participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the LA group or GA group. Pain was determined by both objective (faces pain scale-revised) and subjective (visual analog scale score) methods.

RESULTS

Data from 244 patients (123 in the LA group and 121 in the GA group) were analyzed. The median cone volume was 2.0 (0.4-4.7) cm 3 in the LA group and 2.4 (0.3-4.8) cm 3 in the GA group. There was no difference in margin involvement or repeat conization between the groups. The procedure time, time to complete hemostasis, intraoperative blood loss, and early postoperative blood loss were similar between the groups. The visual analog scale scores were higher in the LA group at 1, 2, and 4 hours postoperatively, but the differences between the groups were not significant. In addition, the median faces pain scale-revised scores at 1, 2, and 4 hours postoperatively were not significantly different between the LA and GA groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed no difference in pain during the postoperative period, need for additional analgesia, volume of the extracted cone specimens, rate of positive surgical margin, bleeding volume, or operation time in women undergoing loop electrosurgical excision procedure under LA versus GA.

Optimal timing of the loop electrosurgical excision procedure according to different phases of the menstrual cycle

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether treatment of cervical precancerous lesions in the follicular phase or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle affects perioperative and postoperative blood loss during the LEEP.

METHODS

In this randomized trial, 73 patients were assigned to either the follicular phase group (n = 37) or the luteal phase group (n = 36). Ultimately, the conditions of 36 patients in the follicular phase group and 34 patients in the luteal phase group were analyzed. The primary outcome measure was median early postoperative blood loss. Secondary outcomes were median intraoperative bleeding, the rate of late postoperative bleeding, and persistent vaginal bleeding.

RESULTS

Baseline demographic data were similar in the two groups. Median intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the follicular phase group than in the luteal phase group (32.7 [20.1-78.3] vs. 44.6 [30.4-104.2] mL, respectively; P < 0.001). Median early postoperative blood loss was also lower in the follicular phase group than in the luteal phase group (209.2 [67.7-468.6] vs. 289.0 [120.3-552.8] mL, respectively; P = 0.01). Moreover, the rate of late postoperative bleeding was higher in the luteal phase group than in the follicular phase group (20.6% vs. 2.8%, respectively; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Performing LEEP during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle significantly reduces median intraoperative blood loss, early postoperative blood loss, and the rate of late postoperative blood loss.

Efficacy of a chitosan tampon in the loop electrosurgical excision procedure: A prospective randomized controlled study

It has been reported that chitosan has a hemostatic effect and an antibiotic activity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of using a chitosan tampon (Hemoblock-Tampon) in preventing hemorrhage and enhancing wound healing after the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).This single-blind, prospective, randomized study included 62 consecutive patients who underwent LEEP for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. A chitosan tampon (31 patients; treatment group), or a general tampon (31 patients; control group) was applied to the uterine cervix immediately after LEEP. One patient in the treatment group declined to participate in this study. Thus, 30 patients in the treatment group and 31 patients in the control group completed this study. For objective analysis of hemorrhage in the postoperative 2 weeks, the amounts of bleeding were checked daily with a pictorial blood assessment chart. We evaluated vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, and impairment in daily living during the postoperative 2 weeks using 5 visual analogue scale questionnaires.The bleeding count was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (21.37 ± 16.86 vs. 40.52 ± 16.55, p = 0.0014). The sum of the scores of the 5 questionnaires was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (6.53 ± 2.84 vs. 8.59 ± 2.88, p = 0.0079). The incidence of vaginal discharge was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (20.0% vs. 48.4%, p = 0.0207). According to logistic regression, only the use of chitosan tampon reduced the risk of moderate to severe vaginal bleeding 2 weeks after surgery (Odd ratio, 0.213; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.76; p = 0.0172). Complete healing of the uterine cervix occurred in 86.7% of patients in the treatment group and in 61.3% of patients in the control group at 4 weeks after surgery (p = 0.0255).The use of chitosan tampons can reduce hemorrhage, vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, and impairment of daily living after LEEP. Moreover, chitosan tampon may help enhance wound healing.

Quality of tissue from punch biopsy forceps vs. round loop electrode in colposcopically directed biopsy: a randomized controlled trial

Objective

To compare the quality of tissue from punch biopsy forceps (PB group) with round loop electrode (LE group) in colposcopically directed biopsy along with the evaluation of pain associated with each procedure.

Methods

Patients with abnormal cervical cytologic results and abnormal colposcopic findings were enrolled into a randomized trial into either a PB group or LE group. The quality of tissue was evaluated in regards to the size of tissue, site of tissue, and tissue damage. Each quality had 1 to 3 points and the sum of each quality contributed to the total tissue score that ranged from 3 to 9. Pain associated with each procedure was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS). This was a clinical trial study and was registered at www.clinicaltrials.in.th (Identifier: TCTR20160404001).

Results

Ninety-six women who met all eligibility requirements were enrolled in the study. Forty-eight patients were randomly assigned to the PB group and 48 patients were randomized into the LE group. The characteristics of the patients were similar between the 2 groups with the exception of the median age. The median total tissue score was 8 points in the LE group which was more than the median of 7 points in the PB group with a statistically significant difference (p=0.014). However, the median VAS pain score in both groups was 3.4 (p=0.82).

Conclusion

The quality of cervical tissues obtained from biopsy with a round loop electrode was better than the punch biopsy forceps with no difference in the level of pain.

Antibiotics for infection prevention after excision of the cervical transformation zone

BACKGROUND

Excision of the transformation zone of the cervix is the most commonly used approach to treat cervical precancerous lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)) to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer. As the excision of the transformation zone leaves a raw area on the cervix, there is a risk of infection following the procedure. The incidence of infection after cold knife conization (CKC) is 36%, whereas the incidence for large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ, also known as loop electrical excision procedure (LEEP)) is much lower (0.8% to 14.4%). Prophalytic antibiotics may prevent an infection developing and are often prescribed for CKC. However, there are no formal recommendations regarding the use of prophylactic antibiotics for infection prevention in women undergoing surgical excisional treatment for cervical precancerous lesions.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of antibiotics for infection prevention following excision of the cervical transformation zone.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2016, Issue 4), MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS to May 2016. We also checked registers of clinical trials, citation lists of included studies, key textbooks and previous systematic reviews for potentially relevant studies SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic antibiotics versus a placebo or no treatment in women having excision of the cervical transformation zone, regardless of the type of surgical excisional method used.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Two review authors independently selected potentially relevant trials, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias, compared results and resolved disagreements by discussion. We contacted investigators for additional data, where possible.

MAIN RESULTS

Of the 370 records that we identified as a result of the search (excluding duplicates), we regarded six abstracts and titles as potentially relevant studies. Of these six studies, three met the inclusion criteria involving 708 participants; most trials were at moderate or high risk of bias (risk mainly due to lack of blinding and high rate of incomplete data). We did not identify any ongoing trials. Although all included studies had been published in peer-reviewed journals at the time of the search and data extraction, numerical data regarding the outcome measured in one trial involving 77 participants were insufficient for inclusion in a meta-analyses.The difference in the rates of prolonged vaginal discharge or presumed cervicitis (one study; 348 participants; risk ratio (RR), 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72 to 2.31; low-quality evidence) and severe vaginal bleeding (two studies; 638 participants; RR 1.21; 95% CI 0.52 to 2.82; very low-quality evidence) among the two comparison groups did not reach the level for clinically important effect. In addition, there was no difference in adverse events related to antibiotics i.e. nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea, and headache among the two comparison groups (two studies; 638 participants; RR 1.69; 95% CI 0.85 to 3.34; very low-quality evidence). There were no differences in the incidence of fever (RR, 2.23; 95% CI 0.20 to 24.36), lower abdominal pain (RR, 1.03; 95% CI 0.61 to 1.72), unscheduled medical consultation (RR 2.68, 95% CI 0.97 to 7.41), and additional self-medication (RR 1.22; 95% CI 0.56 to 2.67) between the two comparison groups (one study; 290 participants; low to very low-quality evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

As only limited data are available from three trials with overall moderate to high risk of bias, there is insufficient evidence to support use of antibiotics to reduce infectious complications following excision of the cervical transformation zone. In addition, there were minimal data about antibiotic-related adverse events and no information on the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics given for infection prevention after excision of the cervical transformation zone should only be used in the context of clinical research, to avoid unnecessary prescription of antibiotics and to prevent further increases in antibiotic resistance.

Efficacy of Monsel Solution After Cervical Biopsy: A Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the efficacy and side effects of Monsel solution for hemostasis after cervical punch biopsy.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized trial, we compared application of Monsel solution versus a "wait and see" approach in women undergoing cervical punch biopsies in a 1:1 ratio. The primary end point was vaginal bleeding (VB) after 15 minutes measured by scoring a sanitary pad with a 5-level pictogram. Secondary end points were VB after 3, 6, and 24 hours (5-level pictogram), subjective estimation of overall VB during 24 hours, pain after 15 minutes and subjective estimation of overall pain after 24 hours, and overall satisfaction after 24 hours (11-level visual analogue scale).

RESULTS

One hundred forty-five women were randomized between July 2015 and January 2016. Mean objective VB scores after 15 minutes in 75 women with Monsel solution were 1.2 ± 0.6 compared with 1.8 ± 1.0 in 70 women without Monsel solution (P < 0.001). The secondary end points VB after 3 and 6 hours, but not after 24 hours, were also in favor of Monsel solution (2.1 ± 1.1 vs 2.9 ± 1.2; P < 0.001; 1.6 ± 0.7 vs 2.2 ± 1.0; P < 0.001; 1.6 ± 0.9 vs 1.7 ± 0.9; P = 0.4, respectively). Subjective estimation of overall VB during 24 hours was lower for Monsel solution (23.2 ± 15.8 vs 35.9 ± 19.5; P < 0.001), but pain after 15 minutes, overall pain, and overall satisfaction were not significantly different between groups (19.2 ± 14.4 vs 17.9 ± 16.2; P = 0.3; 20.7 ± 15.8 vs 20.1 ± 18.0; P = 0.5; and 44.1 ± 21.5 vs 43.6 ± 23.2; P = 0.9, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Application of Monsel solution significantly reduces bleeding for 6 hours after cervical biopsy but does not affect overall pain or overall satisfaction.

Efficacy of fibrin sealant in reducing hemorrhage after a loop electrosurgical excision procedure

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We examined the association of fibrin sealant use with post-operative hemorrhage in patients who underwent a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).

METHODS

We retrospectively collected clinicopathologic data of 344 patients who underwent LEEP at our institute between 2007 and 2009. We defined hemorrhage which occurred between 1 and 30 days after LEEP and required electrocautery to achieve hemostasis as severe secondary hemorrhage (SSH). We determined whether or not the use of fibrin sealant during LEEP was associated with a decreased occurrence of SSH. In addition, we examined the associations of other clinicopathologic variables with SSH and fibrin sealant use.

RESULTS

SSH occurred in 6 of 200 patients (3%) with fibrin sealant and in 12 of 144 patients (8%) without fibrin sealant. Based on univariate analysis, the use of fibrin sealant was associated with SSH (p = 0.028). However, age, surgeons and pathologic diagnosis were not associated with SSH. Based on multivariate analysis, the use of fibrin sealant was associated with less SSH (p = 0.033, OR = 0.328, 95% CI 0.117-0.917).

CONCLUSION

Fibrin sealant use reduces the incidence of severe post-operative hemorrhage after LEEP.

Medical treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II, III: an update review

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II, III is a preinvasive stage of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The standard treatment for CIN II, III consists of ablation and excision. However, nonsurgical treatment may be necessary for some women to preserve future reproductive potential. This review was conducted to summarize available published data on the efficacy and safety of medical treatment for CIN II, III. Based on existing studies, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors; indole-3-carbinol; and novel immunotherapy agents, including ZYC101a, MVA E2, and HspE7, have been observed as possessing therapeutic activity without any major treatment-related complications. These promising results provide important data for the future direction of clinical research.