The treatment of CIN: do we need lasers?

The treatment of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia: when could we 'see and loop'

OBJECTIVE

To determine the possible role of the selective 'see and loop' approach with a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for high grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN).

DESIGN

Comparison of the colposcopic and histological diagnosis in patients who received LEEP treatment.

SUBJECTS

Subjects included 95 patients from May to October 1994.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Agreement between colposcopic and histological diagnosis and between histological diagnosis by biopsy and by LEEP. Sensitivity and false positive rate of colposcopic diagnosis in different classifications of high grade CIN lesions. Decision analysis on the cost of three proposed strategies based on the study results.

RESULTS

The colposcopic diagnosis was correct in 58% of cases with 31% overall and 11% undercall rates. The false positive rate of colposcopic examination was 11.4% in the diagnosis of CIN III or more advanced lesions and 36.8% if CIN II lesions are also classified as high grade. Decision analysis showed a saving of: (i) US$53,000: or (ii) US$73,000 per annum if 'see and loop' was performed on all cases where colposcopic diagnosis is: (i) CIN III or more; or (ii) CIN II or more. If the cost of inappropriate surgery by LEEP is estimated to be more than US$550 per person over-treated (i) becomes the preferred strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective 'see and loop' approach for high grade CIN III lesions suspected on colposcopy will not over-treat significantly but will reduce the number of colposcopy appointments, waiting list for colposcopy and subsequent expenses.

A prospective study of the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in Hong Kong population

From May to December 1990, 72 patients suffering from cervical intraepithelial neoplasia confirmed with guided biopsy were treated with loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) as outpatients under local anaesthesia. Overall success rate of a single treatment at 6 weeks follow-up was 88.9%. All the specimens obtained from the procedure were of good quality for histological examination. The overall significant complication rate of the procedure was 4.2% during treatment and 8.4% after treatment. The results suggested that LEEP is an effective and safe outpatient treatment for CIN lesions. It is easy to use and readily acceptable to patients. It also has the advantage of providing histological confirmation and more economical than the use of laser.

The outcome of pregnancy after CO2 laser conisation of the cervix

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of laser conisation of the cervix on the outcome of subsequent pregnancy.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.

SUBJECTS

Three hundred and fifty-one women were treated for cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) by laser conisation of the cervix between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1985. The 56 women among them who had been delivered of live infants beyond 22 weeks gestation after the conisation and before 1 January 1991 were studied for the outcome of their pregnancies. For each case, two controls of equal parity and age (+/- 3 years) were selected.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The length of gestation and birthweight of the infants.

RESULTS

The median (range) length of gestation was 39 weeks (26-43) in cases compared with 40 weeks (34-42) in controls (z = -4.0, P < 0.001). The median (range) birthweight was 3330 g (1150-4940) in cases and 3630 g (1610-5080) in controls (z = -3.5, P < 0.001). Overall 38% of cases were delivered preterm (< or = 37 weeks gestation), compared with 6% of controls (P < 0.0001; odds ratio 9.0, 95% CI 3.7-21.7). A logistic regression analysis of a set of possible confounding factors revealed no significant risk factors in addition to conisation for the occurrence of preterm delivery. No correlation was found between the height of the cone and the occurrence of preterm delivery in subsequent pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Conisation with microsurgical laser technique increases the risk of preterm delivery in subsequent pregnancies. Laser conisation in young women should be restricted to those with high grade CIN or a lesion extending into the endocervical canal.